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.