Lucrezia Magazine

Many consider shopping a superficial exercise, and while it can be superficial it can also be philanthropic with the increasing group of companies and fashion designers making an effort to contribute to significant issues affecting humanity.

If you are an avid shopper who would like to make a difference and support causes that are important to you then read on.

In the world of fashion, Ralph Lauren presents fashion combines wholesomeness and sophistication. The Ralph Lauren Philanthropic Foundation has initiatives to support cancer care, education and community services. Pink Pony was established to provide support for breast cancer research. Proceeds from items bearing Ralph Lauren’s pink pony logo go toward. Pink Pony supports programs for early diagnosis, detection, research and treatment of breast cancer. While Ralph Lauren is a United States label, its foundation also supports international groups. Internationally, Pink Pony supports The American Hospital (Paris), Breast Cancer Haven and Cancer Research (UK), National Breast Cancer Centre (Australia), Susan G Koman (Germany) and the Japan Cancer Society. It’s easy to shop pink. You can enter any Ralph Lauren store or shop online. Some other initiatives at Ralph Lauren include the American Heroes Fund that provides assistance, by way of college scholarships for children of 911 victims.

Many around the word are aware of (RED), an initiative to provide assistance to African women and children with HIV. A portion of the proceeds of (RED) products go to The Global Fund, which provides funds to provide assistance such as medication. Created by Bono and Bobby Shriver, (RED) teams with globally recognized brands. Each company/brand that supports (RED) will have a product(RED) product. For example, you can purchase an ordinary iPod from Apple, but if you purchase the product(RED) iPod (for the same retail price), ten dollars from the product(RED) iPod will go toward The Global Fund. A full list of products can be viewed on the official site, and further (RED) updates can be read on the (RED) Blog.

For those who adore cosmetics, M·A·C Cosmetics has the M·A·C AIDS Fund initiative. The M·A·C AIDS Fun was established in 1994 by M·A·C co-founders Frank Toskan and Frank Angelo, to provide support to charitable organizations worldwide that offered assistance for those with HIV/AIDS. The marketing campaign for this initiative has featured Dita Von Teese, Lisa Marie Presley, Debbie Harry, Fergie and Eve, who are M·A·C spokes people for this fund. This fund supports men, women and children with HIV/AIDS globally. All the proceeds from its Viva Glam range go toward funding HIV/AIDS related initiatives, that also include research grants.

"With a total of six shades of Viva Glam lipstick and two shades of Viva Glam lipglass now sold worldwide, and through the annual Kids Helping Kids Card Program, M·A·C Cosmetics has provided over $115 million (US) to date for the M·A·C AIDS Fund." (M·A·C Cosmetics). The M·A·C AIDS is based in New York, but everyone around the world can add a helping hand via purchasing products from its Viva Glam range.

The above philanthropic initiatives are great reasons to shop.

Images:

Pink Pony image © Ralph Lauren

product(RED) iPod © Apple

Viva Glam © M·A·C Cosmetics