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 Mercedes Australian Fashion Week (MAFW) |
AUSTRALIAN Fashion Designers Unite for UNICEF
Sydney, 12 April 2006 – More than 40 top Australian fashion designers have dared to bear all for children made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS.
Each designer has autographed and created a unique outfit for UNICEF’s teddy bears and donated the bears for auction as part of UNICEF Australia’s Designer’s United project.
The marie claire and MAFW Designers United for UNICEF project will be launched in Sydney on Wednesday 26 April to mark the opening of Mercedes Australian Fashion Week. The bears will be on public display at the Westin Hotel in Sydney and auctioned through www.marieclaire.com.au from 10 May. All proceeds will go to UNICEF projects for children affected by HIV/AIDS.
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Ken Done AM said his little bear and little painting was about being an artist, and painting Sydney harbour.
“I am fortunate enough to have been Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF Australia since 1988,” Mr Done said.
“Over these last, almost 20 years, I have had the opportunity to visit a number of refugee camps and disaster areas and seen first hand the remarkable and vital work UNICEF does for the protection of the world’s underprivileged and threatened children.
“This collection of little bears, I hope, will raise more awareness of the great work UNICEF does and the ongoing needs of these children.”
Jayson Brunsdon, appointed this year as a UNICEF Australia Special Representative for children made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS, said the dress for his bear was inspired by a former UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Audrey Hepburn.
“The design fuses the roles Audrey was famous for, romancing the line with fair lady flounces, ruffles, tulle, bows and my own hand drawn print,” Mr Brunsdon said.
“Audrey said of her role as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador that she spoke for those children who cannot speak for themselves. I also want to lend my voice to children made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS.”
Simon Lock, Managing Director of IMG FASHION Asia Pacific said "We are proud to be able to present this great initiative at MAFW in partnership with UNICEF and marie claire magazine to raise funds for an incredibly worthwhile cause. It is also a great credit to our industry that so many of our leading designers have taken part to raise funds to support children affected by HIV/AIDS."
UNICEF Australia president Ian Carroll thanked the designers for their generosity and support for the campaign.
“Every minute of every day, a child dies because of AIDS,” Mr Carroll said.
“The difference between life and death can often be a drug that costs a few cents. All money raised through this project will help to curb the spread of this devastating disease that is threatening to decimate a generation.”
A list of participating designers is below.
For further information, please contact Kate Mayhew at UNICEF Australia:
02 9261 2811 : 0411 881 471 : kmayhew@unicef.org.au
UNICEF’s Designers United project – participating fashion designers:
Akira Isogawa
Alannah Hill
Alex Perry
Alice McCall
Aurelio Costarella
Bare by Rebecca Davies
Bettina Liano
Big by Fiona Scanlan
Camilla and Marc
Charlie Brown to be confirmed
Cohen et Sabine
Easton Pearson
Ericaamerica
FashionAssassin
Jayson Brunsdon
Josh Goot
Ken Done
Leona Edmiston
Lover
Mad Cortes
Marnie SkillingsMelvin & Doyle
Metalicus
Milich and Morton
Nicola Finetti
Paablo Nevada
Peter Alexander
Razak
Rebecca Dawson
Romance was Born
Sass and Bide
Scanlan and Theodore
State of Georgia
Tim O’Connor
Tina Kalivas
Toni Maticevski
Tsubi
Vicious Threads
Wayne Cooper
Willow
Zimmermann
M.A.C, Schwarzkopf and marie claire magazine have also styled and donated teddy bears for auction. George Gross and Harry Who have supported the project with a generous donation.
Mercedes Australian Fashion Week
www.mafw.com.au
UNICEF Australia
www.unicef.org.au |
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