In response to the current crisis resulting from the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan on March 11th, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Board of Directors is galvanizing the fashion industry’s participation in a “Fashion & Friends for Japan” fundraiser to benefit the victims of the natural disasters.

Kicking off on Tuesday, April 5th, the CFDA is hosting an online auction at luxury charity auction site charitybuzz.com. All proceeds will benefit the Japan Society’s Japan Earthquake Relief Fund, which will funnel 100% of the monies to front-line organizations in Japan assisting in the short and long-term recovery.

“The crisis in Japan is something that has affected us all and as a community and industry we felt a responsibility to act,” said Steven Kolb, Executive Director of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. “This initiative hits very close to home as many members of the CFDA community have close business ties and partnerships in Japan and we view this is an extension of the work we accomplished in the “Fashion for Haiti” initiative. The response we have received has been overwhelming and we continue to encourage donations and support.”

Motoatsu Sakurai, Japan Society President responded, “We are humbled by the generosity of CFDA members’ donations. We thank you for your support and for raising awareness of Japan in a time of crisis.”

Through an outpouring of support from the fashion community, the CFDA has already secured over 100 donations for the “Fashion & Friends for Japan” initiative. A sampling of the donations received include:

• Bid on a chance to meet Vogue Editor in Chief Anna Wintour and attend a photo shoot for the magazine
• One full week’s stay at the private home of Diane von Furstenberg in the Bahamas
• Ralph Lauren’s Paris – Two Round Trip Business Class Tickets from NYC to Paris, two nights at the Bristol Hotel in a deluxe room, dinner for two at Ralph’s, the quintessential American restaurant in Paris, a 1,000 euro shopping experience at the Ralph Lauren store on St. Germain, and two tickets to visit “The Art of the Automobile: Masterpieces of the Ralph Lauren Collection,” an exclusive exhibit of Mr. Lauren’s vintage automobiles featured at the Musée des Arts décoratifs.
• Live like a Vanity Fair writer for a day—minus the torture of actually reporting and writing. The winning bidder will take a tour of the Vanity Fair offices, have lunch with one of the editors, sit in on a meeting in Graydon Carter’s office, and then finish off the day with a dinner for four at Mr. Carter’s restaurant, The Monkey Bar.
• Morning, Noon & Night with Tory Burch – Morning: $3,000 shopping spree at Tory Burch with a personal stylist; Noon: Lunch with Tory and the design team;
  Night: 2 tickets and backstage passes to Jay-Z and Kanye West’s concert
• Lunch and style consultation with celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe, includes a tour of her offices and additional styling tips from her team
• Go behind the scenes with The Hilfigers at the Spring 2012 Tommy Hilfiger ad campaign shoot. Get prepped out in a full Tommy Hilfiger look at the brand’s Fifth Avenue store before having your photograph taken with the Hilfigers.
• A meet and greet with The Row designers Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen plus an entire wardrobe of Elizabeth and James and The Row Collections
• Two tickets to the Elton John Oscar’s Party
• The opportunity to intern for a day at Elle Magazine along with a personal fashion consultation with Elle Creative Director Joe Zee
• Have a Barbie custom made by Mattel in your likeness, valued at over $10,000
• Courtesy of DKNY, enjoy a “VIP” experience at Yankee Stadium for four guests. Experience includes a private tour of Monument Park followed by watching the Yankees’ batting practice from the field, followed by a meet and greet with Yankees Manager Joe Girardi. Afterwards, watch the Yankees take on the Tampa Bay Rays on July 9th, 2011, from four front row Legends Suite seats
• A lunch and style consultation with TV Personality and Project Runway Judge Tim Gunn
• Two tickets to the Vera Wang Spring Summer 2012 Fashion Show followed by a meet and greet with the designer and a $2000 shopping spree at the Vera Wang flagship store
• The opportunity to personalize a PS1 ‘it’ bag with Proenza Schouler designers Jack McCullough and Lazaro Hernandez
• A “Made to Measure Experience” custom suit and fitting from designer Tom Ford
• Eight tickets to the Metropolitan Opera and dinner with Lincoln Center President Reynold Levy
• Two tickets to a live filming of “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen” along with private cocktails with host Andy Cohen following the filming
• And many, many more……….

The initiative will move forward with the support of the entire fashion industry and will be an ongoing effort. There is no current deadline for donation submissions and the CFDA encourages all members of the fashion community to continue to submit their donations and support.

To make a donation or to request more information about how you can make a contribution to the initiative please contact japan@cfda.com. For a full list of auction items, visit www.charitybuzz.com/FashionandFriendsforJapan.

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Bono is in Australia for World AIDS Day on December 1, and has praised the country’s leaders for helping fight HIV globally during the current economic recession.

“Times are hard in the Western world,” he said. “[Health agencies are] fighting hard for funding. In recessionary times, people have to tell their politicians this is important to them.

“Some people think that the pandemic is on its way out and it’s job done… It is really not so.”

Bono joined Prime Minister Julia Gillard at a special World AIDS Day launch in Sydney which saw the Opera House and Harbour Bridge lit up red in recognition of the U2 singer’s (RED) charity.

“I think, generally people like myself, you know, we’re good at raising the alarm, you know and calling the fire brigade,” he said. “You know we’re good at dramatising the situation and pointing out that this awful haemorraging of human life that doesn’t have to be.”

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The United Nations appointed Disney actress and youth activist Monique Coleman as a “Youth Champion” for the International Year of Youth at a Headquarters press conference yesterday.

Coleman is best known for her character Taylor McKessie in the “High School Musical” movies and her recurring role as Mary-Margaret on “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody”. Most recently, she launched an online talk show, “Gimme MO’”, to empower youth.

The American actress, a long-time advocate for improving the social and economic well-being of young people,says “I am extremely passionate about youth and look forward to highlighting the amazing ways they are already making a difference.”

Assistant Secretary-General Jomo Kwame Sundaram in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs presented Coleman with a letter of recognition as a United Nations Youth Champion to promote the International Year.

The International Year of Youth was launched on 12 August 2010 and runs through 11 August 2011. Youth, defined by the United Nations as people between the ages of 15 to 24, represent 18 per cent of the world’s population, or 1.2 billion people.

The Year provides an opportunity to recognize that young people in all countries are a major human resource for development, positive social change, and technical innovation. It aims to advance their full participation on youth-related issues in global, regional and national development agendas.

To provide a vehicle to reach the young men and women who spend a great deal of time in cyberspace, Coleman hosts each online “webisode”, which facilitates safe conversation on important issues confronting young people and provides much needed positive information and content.

By taking the web show on the global road to Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America, Coleman will broaden the scope of youth issues and engage in youth-related activities. She explains “The purpose of the tour is to see and share through social media first-hand what youth all over the planet are experiencing and, through streaming technologies, to connect people in the developing and developed worlds.”

As Youth Champion, Coleman says she intends to give a voice to young people, raise awareness about some of the most serious challenges they face and highlight the positive contributions they make in their communities. Through her online talk show, Coleman will host forums and conversations with young people centred around topics, such as their ideas for health care, similarities and differences between cultures, and what changes they believe would improve the world.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message on International Youth Day was to “strengthen our efforts to include young people in policies, programmes and decision-making processes that benefit their futures and ours”. The theme of the Year, Dialogue and Mutual Understanding, calls for increased commitment and investment in youth, as well as to building bridges between generations and across cultures, religions and civilizations.

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The Hollywood Office of The Humane Society of the United States invites you to an exclusive gathering of their Hollywood office VIP Cast & Crew members, to take place in the Rita Hayworth Room at Sony Pictures Studios on Sunday, December 5, from 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Join them as they give give special recognition to Cast & Crew member and animal advocate Emily Deschanel.

Get the scoop
You’ll also get the inside track on the work of the Hollywood office (including an exclusive sneak peek at the upcoming 25th Anniversary Genesis Awards) from Hollywood office Senior Director Beverly Kaskey and hear from HSUS Chief Operating Officer Michael Markarian.

Get your ticket
Tickets are $85 per person. You can purchase your tickets today by calling Monica Tiller at 310.440.0600 or e-mailing her at monica@hsushollywood.org. Find out more here.

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LookToTheStars.org is proud to support the star-studded Free The Slaves Freedom Awards in California this month, and we are offering our readers an exclusive discount for those wishing to attend.

Free The Slaves have just announced that Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher will be presenters at the Awards, which will also feature a performance by Jason Mraz.

The 2010 Freedom Awards will be a soul-revving, heart-thumping, shout-out-loud celebration! The event will take place on Sunday, November 7th at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center (7 minutes south of Los Angeles International Airport, just off the 405 freeway).

Guests will enjoy the witty Freedom Awards host Sir Ken Robinson and live performances by Grammy Award winner Jason Mraz, Rickie Byars Beckwith & the Agape International Choir, Rocky Dawuni and String Theory. Michael Bernard Beckwith and the President of Free The Slaves, Dr. Kevin Bales will inspire us on stage along with many others.

Actors Demi Moore & Ashton Kutcher (Co-Founders of the Demi and Ashton Foundation), Camilla Belle (“Push”, “10,000 BC”) and Vincent Kartheiser (“Mad Men”, “Alpha Dog”) will join Meredith Artley, the managing editor of CNN.com and former CEO of Ning, Gina Bianchini, as presenters at this year’s awards ceremony.

More stars and dignitaries are being added daily! There will also be the world-premiere exhibit of slave portraits by renowned photographer Lisa Kristine. Actor and humanitarian Ryan Devlin (“Brothers & Sisters”, “Cougar Town”) will host the Freedom Rocks After Party, which will feature performances by the Makepeace Brothers, Rocky Dawuni and Luc and The Lovingtons, along with a very special encore performance by Jason Mraz. Guests will enjoy gourmet snacks and custom cocktails at the Freedom Rocks After Party along with the opportunity to get involved with the movement that evening.

Tickets range from $25 to $100, which buys you a pre-event reception with a performance by String Theory, reserved seating at the Freedom Awards and admission to the Freedom Rocks after party and concert featuring a special performance by GRAMMY Award Winner Jason Mraz.

VIP Tickets are $250 and include all of the above plus a VIP pre-event reception with award winners and dignitaries, premium seating at the Freedom Awards, admission to the world-premiere exhibit of slave portraits by renowned photographer Lisa Kristine and gourmet snacks and custom cocktails at Freedom Rocks.

Free The Slaves is offering readers of LookToTheStars.org a 30% discount on all tickets from $25-$100. All you have to do is click here for the ticket sales link, and type in the promotional code “LOOK” when prompted.

This event will be huge, and we hope to see you there!

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The Dave Matthews Band, Drake, and the artists of Machete Music are auctioning off VIP Experiences to benefit Hollywood for Habitat For Humanity (HFHFH).

HFHFH is an entertainment industry partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (HFH GLA) that launched in 2000 to encourage the entertainment industry to support Habitat for Humanity’s goal of eliminating substandard housing. HFHFH regularly partners with CharityBuzz.com to host and market its celebrity auctions, where all proceeds benefit the families and individuals served by HFH GLA.

The following VIP experience auctions are now live and open for bidding at CharityBuzz.com:

• Dave Matthews Band has donated a chance to hang out backstage at the private “family and friends lounge” along with 2 great seats for the show of your choice. (Auction closes October 26th.)
• Drake has donated 2 front row seats to his concert in Detroit on October 19th plus the opportunity to meet him backstage. (Auction closes October 15th.)
• The artists on the Machete Music tour have donated the opportunity to meet them on tour plus be their VIP guests for their Los Angeles concert. (Auction closes October 22nd.)

Recently, similar auctions by Green Day, Goo Goo Dolls, Third Day and Alejandro Sanz helped raise money and generated much-needed awareness for the need for affordable housing. This generous support from artists and celebrities helps HFH GLA build hope, lives and communities.

Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity (HFHFH) is an entertainment industry partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles that launched in 2000 with a 20 house “blitz build”. HFHFH was founded by Screenwriter/Director Randall Wallace (Braveheart, We Were Soldiers, Secretariat) to encourage the entertainment industry to support Habitat for Humanity’s goal of eliminating substandard housing worldwide. HFHFH works with talent and industry leaders who support the organization through donations, volunteer hours and advocacy. Thousands of volunteers from the entertainment industry have helped build homes in the United States and around the world.

To access the auction at Charity Buzz, click here.

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Renowned contemporary artists from around the world including Jenny Saville, Tracey Emin, and Isaac Julien have responded to an invitation from curator and independent producer Nadja Romain and Jose Martos of Martos Gallery, New York, to appear in a special Art Attack edition of TANK Magazine.

Alongside the usual print run of the magazine, a limited edition of TANK will be issued to be launched on October 12, in aid of Women for Women International; a charity which helps women in areas of conflict to rebuild their lives.

Nadja Romain and Jose Martos who curated the Art Attack collection said “Artists really liked the idea of showing in a magazine format and having the opportunity to support traumatized women in areas of conflict to help them rebuild their lives. We are so grateful to the community of 23 artists; major historical figures including David Salle and Lawrence Weiner, alongside contemporary stars such as Tracey Emin, Shirin Neshat and many more besides, who generously donated their time and creative efforts to making Art Attack a reality”.

Fashion Designer Donna Karan has also lent her support by hosting the launch of the Art Attack initiative at her flagship DKNY 27 Old Bond St, London W1S 4QE on 12 October and exhibiting works that will be available through the online auction from 12 – 19 October.

Women for Women International will be the beneficiary of TANK’s special limited edition Art Attack issue, with an auction of the original art works at Christie’s Contemporary and Post War Art Sale on 15 October and online from through eBay from 12 – 19 October.

Artwork by Tracey Emin, Michael Craig-Martin, Isaac Julien, Jenny Saville, and Lawrence Weiner will be auctioned at Christie’s Contemporary and Post War Art Sale on 15 October. To download a catalogue and for more information on how to bid – in person or by telephone – click here.

From 12 October for a week you can bid online for an original artwork donated by renowned contemporary artists; Pierre Bismuth, Matthias Bitzer, Ross Bleckner, Chtak, Alberto di Fabio, Tony Just, Jacques Martinez, Servane Mary, Domingo Milella, Elizabeth Peyton and David Salle through eBay via Women for Women International’s website.

There will also be an opportunity to purchase a TANK Art Attack Issue Limited Edition run of 280 issues, and housed in a beautiful box designed and signed by Ron Arad. You can purchase the Limited Edition through www.tankmagazine.com or contact eventUK@womenforwomen.org .

There will be an international release of the Limited Edition with a launch in Paris and New York in November.

100% of the profits from the auctions and Art Attack Limited Edition will go to Women for Women International, supporting women to rebuild their lives after unspeakable trauma inflicted when rape and violence are used as weapons of war.

“We are enormously grateful to independent producer Nadja Romain, TANK Magazine, Christie’s, Donna Karan International and our Honorary Committee who have donated their time, resources and facilities so all money raised will go directly towards helping women in Afghanistan, Iraq, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, Bosnia and Kosovo. Women who have been traumatised and often lost their children, their husbands, their homes and their livelihoods” Says Kate Nustedt, Executive Director of Women for Women International.

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Local members of Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots environmental and humanitarian youth program joined members of the Skirball Cultural Center, USC Anthropology Department, Urban Arts Crew, TreePeople and the Ocean Institute, as well as students and members of the general public to celebrate the annual 2010 International Day of Peace on Sunday, September 19, in Los Angeles.

The event, which took place on the Santa Monica Pier, attracted more than 10,000 people who gathered to promote peace while enjoying arts and crafts, games, and exhibits featuring eco-friendly organizations and local nonprofits.

One cool activity for the kids was the Passport to Peace, an exciting and educational activity that enables participants to “travel” between booths featuring eco-friendly and peace-related exhibits while learning important lessons along the way.

The Day of Peace culminated with a Peace Parade featuring Giant Peace Dove Puppets made from reused materials.

About Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots International Day of Peace

A UN Messenger of Peace since 2002, Dr. Goodall established Roots & Shoots International Day of Peace in 2004 to encourage Roots & Shoots members and other interested individuals to promote peace in their communities and around the globe. Roots & Shoots members and friends craft Giant Peace Dove Puppets from reused materials and fly the Doves in their communities to symbolize their commitment to peace. In past years, Giant Peace Dove Puppets have flown in almost 100 countries in city parks, backyards, convention centers and even refugee camps. Held high by young hands, the Doves have spread their wings everywhere, including the Coliseum in Rome, a monastery in Mongolia, the base of Mount Fuji and even the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro.

The 2010 Roots & Shoots International Day of Peace was particularly special this year as it coincided with monumental milestone for the Jane Goodall Institute and its founder, Dr. Goodall. Fifty years ago, Goodall first set foot on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, in what is now Tanzania’s Gombe National Park. The chimpanzee behavioral research she pioneered there has produced a wealth of scientific discovery, and her vision has expanded into a global mission to empower people, particularly youth, to make a difference for all living things.

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Auction Lots including items from Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman, Bette Midler and Mariska Hargitay are up for grabs in support of the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City.

The CharityBuzz auction will benefit New York City’s Family Justice Centers, serving victims of domestic violence and their children, as well as New York City Housing Authority’s Early Childhood programs, which provide children in public housing communities with high-quality early care and learning opportunities.

Featuring a variety of one-of-a-kind experiences and merchandise, the auction can be found online at www.charitybuzz.com/fete until October 6.

The benefit auction includes exclusive experiences such as a backstage tour at Rachael Ray’s show and lunch with her after the taping; tickets to Jerry Seinfeld’s Atlantic City show followed by a meet and greet with the comedian; set visits of shows including Law & Order: SVU; VIP sports and travel packages; Broadway and runway show tickets and much more.

Other top auction lots that bidders can win include:

• Lunch at Le Cirque with fashion maven Tim Gunn and New York’s own eye on celebrities Liz Smith
• Jewelry from renowned designers including Me&Ro and Jennifer George
• Set tours of hit shows including Two and a Half Men; and a chance to play an extra on Curb Your Enthusiasm
• An internship with famed fashion design house Donna Karan International in NYC
• A special dinner with NYC restaurant gurus Tim and Nina Zagat
• Courtside seats to see the New York Knicks and rinkside to the Rangers
• A chance to see watch the NY Yankees from the Delta Skybox and sit courtside at a NY Knicks game
  *An outfit Mary J. Blige wore at the Lilith Fair concert tour in July 2010
• Tickets to Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and a meet and greet with the host
• Guitars signed by Keith Urban and Sting

Online bidding is open to the public through October 6th. Bidders must complete a simple registration process with a valid credit card at www.charitybuzz.com to place a bid.

The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City’s online auction also compliments the 2010 Fete de Swifty benefit, taking place in NYC on September 29. Honorary Chairs are Mary J. Blige, Tim Gunn, Mariska Hargitay, Nicole Kidman, John Starks, Steve Stoute and Malik Yoba. To purchase tickets to the event, go to www.nyc.gov/fund or call 212-788-7794.

About the Beneficiaries:
Administered by the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence, the Family Justice Initiative reduces barriers faced by victims of domestic abuse, allowing them to access a variety of services, such as prosecutorial, counseling, housing and financial assistance, under one roof. Mayor Bloomberg opened the first Family Justice Center in Brooklyn in 2005. In 2008, a second center opened in Queens, and the City’s third center opened in April in the Bronx.

The benefit auction will also support the New York City Housing Authority’s Early Childhood programs, which provide children in the City’s public housing communities with high-quality early care and learning opportunities for overall child development, and school and lifelong success. The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) is the largest public housing authority in the nation, serving more than 650,000 individuals and it oversees a network of over 400 community facilities. Nearly 30 percent of NYCHA’s residents are under age 18.

About the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City:
The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City is a 501©(3) nonprofit organization, which aids public programs to support innovation and emerging needs. The Mayor’s Fund devotes 100% of contributions to programs, and does not retain an administrative fee. For more information please visit: www.nyc.gov/fund.

About charitybuzz
A leader in cause marketing, charitybuzz (www.charitybuzz.com) aligns nonprofits with international brands and celebrity icons to raise funds through innovative online auctions. Featuring pop culture experiences, VIP events, luxury travel, fine art, couture fashion and sports memorabilia, charitybuzz brings its online community of upscale, socially conscious bidders exclusive opportunities to make a difference. The company enables its bidders to truly doGOOD and liveWELL, generating millions of dollars for charities around the globe. For more information please visit: www.charitybuzz.com

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The Rado Unlimited Spirit Awards this week will honor the innovative and inspirational people who challenge definitions and boundaries through their art, work and philanthropic initiatives. This fall, Rado will present the Unlimited Spirit Award to three outstanding individuals who embody true Unlimited Spirit – actress and activist Maria Bello; architect and environmentalist David Hertz; and director, writer and producer Paul Haggis.

RADO’s Unlimited Spirit Awards will be presented on September 16th at a private event in Los Angeles, to the following cultural visionaries:

• Maria Bello, (Actress/Activist): With powerhouse turns in critically acclaimed films such as The Cooler and A History of Violence, audiences are well acquainted with Bello’s on-screen tenacity – but to learn that the actor’s passion translates off screen as a social justice activist for women’s causes is an unveiling of her true spirit. Bello gives a “voice to the voiceless” through her work with the Haitian organization Femmes En Democratie – a chapter of Vital Voices Global Partnership, whose mission is to expand the roles of Haitian women in generating economic opportunities, increasing political participation and protecting human rights.

• David Hertz, (Architect/Environmentalist): David Hertz has continually challenged the status quo by making it his mission to rethink and re-imagine the impact buildings have on the environment. His current project is his most ambitious to date – repurposing a Boeing 747 into a home – Hertz is most inspired by his beyond-sustainable vision for the future: “To create a building that contributes back to the health of the planet.” David gives his time to EDAR (Everyone Deserves A Roof), a nonprofit that addresses the unrepresented hundreds of thousands of homeless people amongst us by providing short-term, immediate mobile shelter units to those living on the streets; and the Go Campaign, a movement that improves the lives of orphans and vulnerable children throughout the world by partnering with local, grassroots organizations that provide children in need with the care and services they require.

• Paul Haggis (Filmmaker/Champion): Whether writer-director-producer Paul Haggis is tackling the messiness of life in screenplays such as the Oscar winners Crash and Million Dollar Baby, or advocating for the children of Haiti, authenticity is his objective. His next film, the thriller The Next Three Days, hits theatres in November. Paul is also the founder of Artists for Peace and Justice, a fundraising effort that encourages peace and social justice and addresses issues of poverty and enfranchisement in communities around the world. The organization’s immediate goal is to build schools to serve the poorest areas of Haiti.

This summer, Rado held a design competition through www.radostar.com, an online destination for designers and creatives to share and view work with an international community, to find an artist to create the Rado Unlimited Spirit Award. This year’s contest winner was 30-year-old Tatu Vuorio, an artist from Finland, whose design captured the true essence of Rado Unlimited Spirit and will be presented to Maria Bello, David Hertz and Paul Haggis.

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