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:-)

Yes!! leciellarue is back!!! :)



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Malaria Haikubaliki




The latest Swahili Fashion Week featured three rising designers (Francisca Shirima, Mtoko designers and Diana Magesa) who were selected to create a collection depicting their vision of malaria eradication. The malaria inspired collection was created to advocate for the prevention and treatment of malaria as well as promote sustained government support for malaria prevention and treatment efforts in Tanzania.

*Hat -inspired by the proboscis on a mosquito

Malaria Haikubaliki (Malaria is not Acceptable); Tanzania's national malaria communication campaign is being implemented by a number of malaria programs in Tanzania including Johns Hopkins University Center for Communication Programs through its VOICES for a Malaria Free Future project.

ps: Thank you "anonymous reader"! :)

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Fashion AIDS aids!


As at the end of 2009, 33.3 million people were estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS worldwide. 68% of them reside in Sub- Saharan Africa. About 2.6 million people were newly infected with HIV in 2009. Globally, there are 16.6million estimated orphans due to AIDS.
The good news? More than 5 million people are now receiving HIV treatment. Consequently, the number of AIDS-related deaths annually and the number of new infections among children is steadily decreasing worldwide.

Fashion has not turned a deaf ear to the plight of the world especially with respect to the AIDS pandemic. In fact if any industry recognizes the impact that AIDS/HIV has on the world today and has determined to do something about it, it is the fashion industry. Every so often, AIDS/ HIV awareness projects and messages have found their way into various fashion and product lines. In recognition of World AIDS day which was December 1st and in support of what the fashion industry is doing concerning HIV/AIDS, I want to highlight 3 out of the recent fashion + AIDS-awareness collaborations that you need to know about!

♥ Filling Fashion’s Cracks

Want a unique take on the same old boring purse or bag? Well, try Safe Sax! SafeSax’s nifty bag line takes the condom from its hiding place and puts it into public view in the form of colorful purses, tote bags and makeup bags. Although edgy and somewhat in-your-face, these fun, colorful and funky bags successfully achieve Safe Sax’s mission of ensuring that condom use as a way to reduce HIV transmission is openly discussed. In addition to being an attention grabber, partial proceeds from the sale of Safe Sax products go to non-profit organizations that are concerned with AIDS education and prevention. So if you are daring enough, try out a funky but AIDS conscious Safe Sax purse or bag this holiday. Be a part of AIDS awareness and this unique campaign to end the HIV pandemic in the world.

Oh and if you are a bag designer or a fashion savvy consumer and are interested in designing a Safe Sax bag/ tote, contact info@safesax.com. They are constantly looking for new inspiration and would love to hear from you!



♥ Save a Hide…Wear a Rubber
AWEARNESS, the Kenneth Cole Foundation is a non-profit organization that raises awareness, increases prevention, supports education and eradicates stigma, to support the fight against AIDS. To this end, every season, Kenneth Cole partners with a nonprofit HIV/AIDS organization to create products and host events to achieve the foundations mission. This year Kenneth Cole released a new rubber accessory collection line to support amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS research. These must-have accessories range from $18 to $198 and 100% of net profits from the collection will go to AWEARNESS in support of amfAR throughout the month of December. I love this collection because of its rugged but sophisticated appeal.
Check out Kenneth Cole stores nationwide or online to get your hands on a piece this holiday season.

♥ Until There’s a Cure


Until There’s a Cure Foundation is a national organization dedicated to eradicating AIDS, by raising awareness and funds. I especially love this organization because it offers a collection of colorful and elegant handmade bracelets made by women in African Countries including villagers in Namibia, women in Uganda, women in South Africa living with HIV/AIDS and local women in Nairobi, Kenya. So far, these bracelets have raised up to $9,000,000 for HIV/AIDS charities around the world.




All proceeds from the sale of these unique bracelets go towards care for HIV/AIDS orphans, hospitals, nurses, and the medical needs of local women in Africa whose lives have been severely impacted by AIDS. It also serves as a source of employment and provides a livelihood for women in these countries.
Check out more of these African art bracelets at until.org.
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PAUSE.

Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only… Fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening -Coco Chanel

Domestic Violence remains a tragic problem that occurs in every corner of the world. In fact, one out of three women has been abused one way or another during her lifetime. Domestic violence is an issue I am passionate about especially as it is a problem which cuts across race, age, culture, religion and education. It remains a problem that is not only of economic or human rights importance but most importantly of health.

Domestic violence is such a disconcerting issue, that it begs for something radical, something unusual… something attention-grabbing. I believe fashion can and definitely does that. Fashion and all its nuances are forever pushing boundaries and challenging the way we view things. Amnesty International’s ad campaign brings that something unusual into its campaign. It creates a strong visual using a play on words to pass across the message that domestic violence still happens.

If to an observer, the ad seems disturbing thus making one pause and want to take action, then I believe it has done its job quite well. And this I think should be the main goal in public health awareness. Even fashion designers/ the fashion industry can take a cue from this. Maybe designs, creations and collections don’t have to be disturbing per se but the thought behind it, the finished product, should make one pause for a second. I think that ‘pause’ stays with you and is what is important.

Fashion isn’t only about pretty dresses. It can reflect events that happen around us every day, it is “what is happening”, it is “the way we live”- at least it should be. Fashion can thus address and be inspired by domestic violence and not only issues like AIDS, breast cancer, heart disease etc. Fashion can be used as a tool for domestic violence public awareness and serve as a wake up call to action.

Essentially, I think the ad doesn’t just announce that domestic violence still exists, but rather, it uses the imagery to awaken you to the possibility that you just might be a part of the audience; an audience that looks on without necessarily taking action, or acknowledging the problem.

Amnesty’s responsibility goes beyond addressing domestic violence; it encompasses human rights protection around the world. Whether directly or indirectly, issues involving human rights violation have an effect on health and this is how Amnesty finds its way into Leciellarue. Issues like forced expulsions that still occur in countries around the world are also addressed in Amnesty’s ‘fashionable’ ad campaign.

Check out amnesty in your country.
Image Credit: www.amnesty.fr
Advertising Agency: TBWA/Paris, France
Creative Directors: Eric Holden, Rémi Noel
Art Director: Mohamed Bareche
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...not just a woman's issue || Thinking Pink

Although the end of breast cancer awareness month gradually approaches, there is still time to do your part in the fight against breast cancer by shopping! Here are some of my favorite picks and the organizations that these designers/ products support




Designer: Jaclyn Smith
Product: the Jaclyn Smith Anniversary Collection
Being a breast cancer survivor, herself, this cause hits close to home for Jaclyn Smith. And so, for every piece purchased from her Limited Edition Apparel Collection, Kmart will make a donation to Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). These pieces are easily identifiable by the pink ribbon- and range from $24.99 to $89.99
Image Credit: Wanita Indonesia











Designer: Lauren Merkin
Product: Diana Pink Studded Lambskin Bag
I absolutely love this studded leather flap front cross body bag. 50% of the proceeds of this baby pink beauty will be donated to Young Survival Coalition (YSC); a global organization dedicated to ensuring that no young woman is left to face breast cancer alone.









Company: Clinique
Product: Limited Edition Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion
The truly dramatically different moisturizing lotion comes with a collectible key ring with a pink ribbon heart and a Clinique “C” charm for $35. It also includes a free pink ribbon pin and a bookmark with key breast health tips. For each purchase, $10 goes to BCRF






Company: Rumba Time
Look fashionable in this pink RumbaTime wristwatch while contributing to breast cancer research at the same time. The colorful rumba watch is $20 with 20% of proceeds from its sale (40% during October) being donated to BCRF




Company: Converse
Product: Chuck Taylor Pink All Star Hi-Top and Oxford
Converse is also partnering with BCRF for Breast cancer Awareness month and is donating $50,000 connected with sales of this chic and comfortable pink chucks that are currently being sold for $45






Designer: Ralph Lauren
Product: Ralph Lauren Pink Pony
For higher end items, shop Ralph Lauren Pink Pony. This year, Ralph Lauren enlisted 100 fashion bloggers to stylishly showcase their support of Pink Pony’s mission to benefit breast cancer prevention and care to medically under-served communities. 10% of all proceeds from Pink Pony benefit the Pink Pony Fund.
Image Credit: Karla's Closet






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“Breast cancer is not just a woman’s issue- it affects all of us; the brothers, husbands, fathers, children, friends. Pink Pony is our effort in the fight against cancer”- Ralph Lauren
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Estée Lauder || Thinking Pink

When it comes to breast cancer awareness, the Estée Lauder brand is one that has been actively involved in the Breast Cancer Awareness campaign since 1992. By distributing pink ribbons and informational brochures at counters in North American and around the globe, the brand works to raise awareness about breast cancer around the world. This month, Estée Lauder companies’ brands are selling Pink Ribbon products to raise funds and awareness for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF)- a foundation dedicated to preventing and finding a cure for breast cancer.

Their exclusive Pink Ribbon collection acts as great conversation starters and will create opportunities for women around the world to share stories, encourage screening and raise awareness. Apart from raising awareness, proceeds from the sales of this elegant pink collection will raise funds of up to $500,000 which will be donated to the BCRF. Check out the Estée Lauder pink ribbon collection. Where better to wear pink than on your lips?




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In the United States alone, about 39,840 women will die of breast cancer in 2010
Source:
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the white cashmere collection || Thinking Pink




In support of a future without breast cancer, fifteen Canadian designers including Ines Di Santo, Paris Li, Angela Chen, and Caitlin Power took on White Cashmere Collection 2010: Fashion with Compassion. An annual awareness-raiser for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, the White Cashmere Collection 2010 event was held to not only raise breast cancer awareness but to also raise funds for the Foundation. It featured models that strutted out in lovely couture designs made solely out of Cashmere bathroom tissue (BT) and inspired by the strength and courage of women affected by breast cancer. The spectacular BT creations ranged from hats, jewelry, swimwear and even a wedding gown.

Where do you come in? Well, participate in Cashmere’s Vote Couture for the Cure and vote for your favorite White Cashmere Collection 2010 design. For each vote placed, Cashmere will donate $1 to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and $5,000 on behalf of the designer with the most votes. In addition, every voter also gets the chance to win a limited edition $150 cashmere scarf by designer, Thien Le. So go to Cashmere.ca, feast your eyes on this year’s lovely BT couture designs and vote vote vote!!!
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In Canada alone, 23,200 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 5,300 will die as a result of the disease in 2010

Source/ Image Credit:
-Canadian Cancer Society
-Cashmere
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Thinking Pink ... globally

In 2010, 1.5 million people worldwide will be diagnosed with Breast Cancer.
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Although a disease thought to be exclusive to the developed world, in reality 69% of resulting deaths from the disease occur in developing countries. Affecting nearly 1 in 4 women with cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide and is a leading cause of death from cancer among women globally.

Breast cancer survival rates vary worldwide with the lowest survival rates (below 40%) found in low income countries as a result of late detection programs, lack of adequate diagnosis and lack of treatment facilities.

October is breast cancer awareness month and so this month, LecielLarue will be dedicated to all things breast cancer slash fashion related! Music, tv ads, billboards and even facebook is being used as a platform to raise breast cancer awareness around the world!
Well, why not fashion?