Luxist

The Simmons Green Initiative

Annie Scott — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Jewelry, Charity, Holiday Guides

Beyonce Knowles is happily wearing a Rough Diamond and Malachite Green bracelet from Simmons Jewelry Company.

Simmons, as in the infamous Simmons Family which includes lines such as Kimora Lee Simmons for Hello Kitty, Simmons Men's Collection, Brown Sugar by Justine Simmons, and the iconic Green Malachite bracelet which gives back to the Diamond Empowerment Fund. The bracelet, above, comes in three sizes at $125 and has a little gold diamond charm containing a small rough diamond - very classy, chic, and perfect for your environmentally conscious friends and relatives.

The Diamond Empowerment Fund, to which 50% of all Rough Diamond and Malachite Green bracelet profits go, is an international non-profit organization which raises money for educational programs in Africa. Feeling green? Click here to learn more and find out how you can help.

The Simmons Green Initiative originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 29 Nov 2008 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Laurel in NYC Offers Designer Open House

Laura Malesich — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 09:02:00 EST

Filed under: Decor, Events, Charity

This weekend in Manhattan a wonderful open house event will be hosted at The Laurel, a new LEED certified, 31-story luxury condominium tower on the Upper East Side at 67th Street and 1st Avenue, to benefit the Worldwide Orphans Foundation. For two hours you can peruse four separate spaces each defined by a designer of distinction and representing one of four magazines: Veranda, O at Home, House Beautiful and Town & Country. The apartments on display were created with a specific, imagined resident in mind and speaks to that chosen character's interests. You can also catch these stunning living spaces in upcoming issues of their respective magazine. Tickets cost $30 plus tax and are available for two-hour time blocks on a first-come, first served basis. My personal favorite is the Town & Country space -- so elegant yet equally welcoming.

For more specific information on The Laurel read on here.

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The Laurel in NYC Offers Designer Open House originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Ian Fleming Foundation: Bond For Good Causes

Deidre Woollard — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 10:02:00 EST

Filed under: Wheels, Charity

Another James Bond movie is headed to the theaters and James Bond fans all around the world are lining up to see Daniel Craig in action as 007. Part of the lure is the long history of the movies and the books written by Ian Fleming which create a whole world of superspy adventures with beautiful women, fast cars, yachts and gadgets. I've seen Bond-related vehicles come up for auction before but I didn't know, until I saw a recent article in the Chicago Tribune, that there is actually an Ian Fleming Foundation, a group of owners of some of these vehicles. The foundation is a charity of seven board members who use their Bond vehicles to help non-profits raise money. The charity will loan out vehicles for a fee or a percentage of the money brought in and that money goes toward the foundation's operating budget. Their end goal is to have a museum of Bond vehicles that raises money that can be donated to a scholarship for a writer or filmmaker.

Some of the vehicles including the Lotus submarine car used in the 1977 film 'The Spy Who Loved Me,' the Aston Martin Volante used in the 1987 James Bond film 'The Living Daylights,' and the Ford Mondeo used in the 2006 film 'Casino Royale' are on display at the Beaulieu National Motor Museum in New Forest between Bournemouth and Southampton in England. The James Bond Experience also includes props and apparel from the movies. The exhibition was created with the Ian Fleming Foundation.

The Ian Fleming Foundation: Bond For Good Causes originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 13 Nov 2008 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wealthy Donors Prefer Gifts to Universities

Tracy Chait — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 10:02:00 EST

Filed under: Charity, Big Givers

According to a study conducted by British private bank Coutts, donors who gave more than £1 million last year gave overwhelmingly to universities.

45 gifts above the million pound mark went to academic institutions, totaling about £295.5 in donations -- more than three times than what went toward health concerns or international development, the second and third most popular causes, respectively.

The trend is hardly exclusive to the UK. Just last week University of Chicago b-school alum David Booth gave one of the largest gifts ever made to an American university -- $300 million. Welcome to the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

[Thanks Ben!]

Wealthy Donors Prefer Gifts to Universities originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Six Scents, One Cause

Deidre Woollard — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:02:00 EST

Filed under: Cosmetics and Fragrance, Charity

The Six Scents Fragrance Initiative brings together six perfumers and artists to create limited edition fragrances fora good cause. The six scents titled Six Scents Series One and curated by Seven New York's Joseph Quartana are: Gareth Pugh's "Diagonal," Bernhard Willhelm's "Wicken 3000," Preen's "Teen Spirit," Jeremy Scott's "Illicit Sex," Cosmic Wonder Light Source's "Spirit of the Wood" and Alexandre Herchcovitch's "Urban Tropicalia." The scents mix traditionally masculine and feminine fragrances with notes of bergamot, red pepper berries, magnolia, rose, fig leaves, green grass, sea breeze accord, rhubarb and sandalwood. Profits will got towards awareness and funding for the Designers Against AIDS' International AIDS Awareness Center set to open in December in Antwerp, Belgium. There are 2,000 bottles of each scent and each costs $85.

[via Now Smell This]

Six Scents, One Cause originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More Hard Times In The O.C., Opera Pacific Closes

Deidre Woollard — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 10:02:00 EST

Filed under: Art, Charity

Another casualty of tough times in Southern California's Orange County appears to be opera. The recent staging of "The Barber of Seville" may have been the swan song for Opera Pacific, the area's professional opera company. The company was founded in 1986 and has been going strong for years but currently a limited circle of patrons has been unable to swing the $4 million to $5 million in donations needed to fund a season's budget of about $7 million to $8 million. The LA Times reports that the company has canceled its two remaining operas "The Grapes of Wrath" and "Salome" and has put its its office, set-storage and rehearsal building in Santa Ana up for sale and laid off all but two members of the staff. Donations to the arts are often first hit when people scale back their philanthropy in tough times.

More Hard Times In The O.C., Opera Pacific Closes originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 07 Nov 2008 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Carla Bag

Deidre Woollard — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:02:00 EST

Filed under: Handbags, Charity

France's first lady, Carla Bruni is a former model and fashion icon and now she has her own bag. The Carla bag, being sold at France's Colette, is a colorful yellow, red, blue, green and white bag made of hessian and cotton. The original Township bag was presented to Bruni by a women's sewing cooperative in Khayelitsha, South Africa. Proceeds from the sale of Carla bags will go towards establishing a new cooperative in Khayelitsha.The bag is a limited edition numbered from 2 to 421 and sells for €100.

[via Black Book]

The Carla Bag originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bulgari's Save The Children Campaign

Deidre Woollard — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 10:02:00 EST

Filed under: Jewelry, Charity

Italian jeweler Bulgari has announced a campaign to support the "Rewrite the Future" campaign of Save the Children. Through the "Rewrite the Future" campaign Save the Children is committing to providing quality education to eigh million children living in conflict-affected areas. Bulgari wants to raise 10 million euros by the end of 2009, of which one million euros will be donated by Bulgari in advance. Bulgari has created a silver ring for the campaign which features the Save the Children logo engraved inside. The ring will be on sale from February 1 to December 31, 2009 in all Bulgari stores throughout the world, in some selected department stores, and on Bulgari's e-commerce website for $290, $60 of which will be donated to the campaign.

Bulgari will also create a collection of 15 pieces of high jewelry and eight high-end timepieces, valued at three million euros. This collection will be officially presented on in June 2009 in Rome, on the occasion of Bulgari's retrospective exhibition "Between Eternity and History" to celebrate 125 years of the Bulgari brand. This collection of jewels and watches will be exhibited at various events throughout the year and the auctioned off on December 7, 2009 in New York and proceeds will be totally donated to Save the Children.

[via Vogue UK]

Bulgari's Save The Children Campaign originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 05 Nov 2008 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gucci's New UNICEF Collection

Tracy Chait — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 17:02:00 EST

Filed under: Handbags, Charity, Big Givers

In its fourth collaboration with UNICEF, Gucci has designed a special bag as part of its Tattoo Hearts Collection. The handbag, a white leather shoulder bag with a heart-and-horse-bit-tattoo painted on, is Gucci's attempt to raise funds for the children's rights organization.

The company will donate 25% of all sales from the collection up until January 31, 2009.

[via Vogue UK]

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Gucci's New UNICEF Collection originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 01 Nov 2008 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Diamonds For A Cure

Deidre Woollard — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 11:02:00 EST

Filed under: Jewelry, Charity

Shop NBC host, jewelry designer and breast cancer survivor Neda Behnam has created a new company called Diamonds for a Cure (DFAC) which will join the growing number of companies raising funds for cancer research. The first two offerings capitalize on the current trend for rough diamond jewelry. A 4ct. natural pink diamond flower ring set in rose gold sells for $2,499.99 but only $100 goes to cancer research. An 18k white gold rough diamond pendant with a polished diamond center stone on either a black or pink silk cord sells for $549.93 and $50 goes to breast cancer research. The idea is admirable but compared to other jewelry lines, the amount given for charity seems a bit low.

Diamonds For A Cure originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 25 Oct 2008 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paint For The Planet Auction Today

Deidre Woollard — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Auctions, Art, Charity

The art may be from children and teenagers but the cause is one that affects us all. Today the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) is holding their "Paint for the Planet" art auction in New York City showcasing 26 paintings from kids all around the planet. The painting all have the theme of climate change and money raised will go to help the children most adversely affected by global warming.

CNN reports that pre-bids indicate that all 26 paintings will be sold for at least the opening bid of $500 apiece. Some painting express the damage caused by global warming while others, like the one above by Daniela Melendez, 14, of Colombia are more optimistic about the future of alternative energy. Live bidding starts tonight at 8 p.m. ET at the Harvard Club in New York and you can also bid online through eBay.

Paint For The Planet Auction Today originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 25 Oct 2008 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Salvation Army Texting for Dollars

Tracy Chait — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:02:00 EST

Filed under: Charity

Say CUL8R to traditional fundraising -- in an attempt to reach younger tech-obsessed generations, The Salvation Army is going to start texting for cash this holiday season. Apparently the charitable organization is aware that not only do many twenty- and thirty-somethings operate better via cell phone, many of them aren't big on carrying cash to stuff into those swinging red coffers set up alongside Santa.

Instead, those who want to contribute can send a text agreeing to a $5 charge added to their cell phone bills at the end of the month. The Salvation Army will test out the program starting in November in Ohio and expand it nationally if it's successful.

[via The Chronicle of Philanthropy]

Salvation Army Texting for Dollars originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Swarovski Crystal Scrabble Board

Annie Scott — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Auctions, Art, Charity, Big Givers

In honor of Scrabble's Diamond (60th) Anniversary, Hasbro Inc. has commissioned a one-of-a-kind glass SCRABBLE: Swarovski Encrusted Board Edition featuring more than 30,000 Swarovski crystals. Each of the 30,000 glittering crystals is hand-selected to perfectly match the Diamond Anniversary edition of Scrabble, which will be available soon from all the usual retailers.

As for this sparkling edition, there is just one, and it's selling here on eBay. The auction started yesterday and will close on October 30th. All proceeds will benefit St. Jude's Research Hospital. The winning bidder will also receive a plaque certifying its authenticity signed by Jimmy Kimmel and Seth Green, who dueled in the 2008 Celebrity Doubles SCRABBLE Championship in June.

Swarovski Crystal Scrabble Board originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 21 Oct 2008 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kayu Bamboo Shades: Eco-Ethical

Tracy Chait — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 11:02:00 EST

Filed under: Charity, Green

New eco-company Kayu handcrafts sunglasses from pesticide-free bamboo. The shades are oversized in a retro-stylish way (think Jackie O. goes green), but the best part is what's behind the lenses: for every pair purchased, Kayu donates enough funds to cover one sight-restoring surgery in the developing world. So the shades are not only green, they give back the luxury of sight.

The multi-tasking pair retails for $180 and is available through the Kayu website.

Kayu Bamboo Shades: Eco-Ethical originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 18 Oct 2008 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ruff & Cut Jewelry Line Launches

Deidre Woollard — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 11:02:00 EST

Filed under: Jewelry, Charity, Green

It may be, as the Wall Street Journal's Heard on the Runway column put it, a "challenge in this economy to launch a high-end jewelry line" but it is one I suspect that Wade Watson of Ruff & Cut can handle. I had a chance to listen to Watson speak earlier this year at the Fair Trade Jewelry Conference and was impressed by how passionate he was about both the country and the people of Sierra Leone and the good diamonds can do there. For Watson it's a personal mission to help lift up this country which is one of the richest in natural resources but the poorest in so many other ways.

The Ruff & Cut name refers to the mix of both rough and cut diamonds used in the designs. Designers such as Me&Ro, Tracy Matthews and Todd Reed each have their own collection under the Ruff & Cut brand. The jewelry uses recycled gold and "conflict-free" diamonds coming from Sierra Leone and Canada. Many of the rough diamonds come from the Pride Diamond mine in Sierra Leone. Each piece comes with a certificate of origin. For every piece sold the company donates 10% of their profits to their nonprofit partners working in Africa to improve the lives of those affected by mining and jewelry manufacturing. During their launch event, Oct 16th - Nov 16th, they are bumping that number up to 20%.

The Nobel Ring shown above features a 1.35 carat rough diamond with a free-spinning center band studded with brilliant-cut diamonds weighing 0.27 carats total. It sells for $10,500.

Ruff & Cut Jewelry Line Launches originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 17 Oct 2008 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Unveiling of the Imperial Blue Serpent Clock Egg

Annie Scott — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:02:00 EST

Filed under: Art, Charity

This beautiful Faberge creation from Princess Grace of Monaco's collection, which has not left Monaco in over 30 years, was unveiled today at the Consulate General of Monaco in New York City.

Thanks to Prince Albert II, who inherited the piece in 2005, the Imperial Blue Serpent Clock Egg will be traveling to Cleveland, Ohio, where it will be on display with six other Faberge wonders in the Artistic Luxury exhibition at the Cleveland Museum of Art through January 2009.

The Imperial Blue Serpent Clock Egg was crafted in St. Petersburg in 1887, and presented by Alexander III to Maria Fyodorovna.
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The Unveiling of the Imperial Blue Serpent Clock Egg originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Omega Auctioning $1.5 Million Olympics Collection Trunk

Jared Paul Stern — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 09:02:00 EST

Filed under: Timepieces, Auctions, Charity

Omega, the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games, is auctioning off a one-of-a-kind limited edition watch set in a bespoke black walnut trunk (above) that's expected to fetch up to $1.5 million. Known as the Unique No. 8 Collection and based on the Chinese concept of "lucky number 8", the rare and unique item is being offered at Sotheby's in Hong Kong today, with proceeds going to The Chinese Athletes Educational Foundation (CAEF).

The set is comprised of the eighth numbered piece of each of the 32 Limited Edition wristwatches in the Omega Beijing Olympic Collection, plus three Olympic Split Seconds Chronograph 1932 pocket watches, also numbered 008 in their limited editions of 100 pieces. The watches, including a set of split seconds open-faced chronographs in 18k yellow, white and red gold, are presented in a striking black walnut pagoda-style eight-drawer tower with intricate carving and a lacquered finish, paying homage to traditional Chinese architecture. Truly the ultimate Olympic collector's item.

Omega Auctioning $1.5 Million Olympics Collection Trunk originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 08 Oct 2008 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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White + Warren Cashmere Accessories For Breast Cancer Awareness

Deidre Woollard — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Apparel, Charity

October is breast cancer awareness month and White+ Warren has some pink cashmere pieces that are so cute you'd want to buy them even if they weren't benefiting Columbia Presbyterian's Women at Risk charity. And they aren't just doting the often obligatory 10 or 15%, White + Warren is donation 50% to women at risk. The little wristlet gloves in pink and black color combinations sell for $65. The cashmere slippers in a pouch are $145, the pink city scarf is $165 and the luxurious travel wrap is $275.

White + Warren Cashmere Accessories For Breast Cancer Awareness originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 01 Oct 2008 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fundraisers See Disappointing Response to Recent Disasters

Tracy Chait — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 10:02:00 EST

Filed under: Charity

Following recent hurricanes Ike and Gustav, U.S. charities have finally reached the $50 million mark in fundraising, though this number doesn't come close to covering the needs of those suffering throughout affected areas, needs estimated in the hundreds of millions (not including job losses and insurance claims).

The comparisons between relief efforts for Gustav pale in comparison to those surrounding Katrina: Catholic Charities, according to The Chronicle of Philanthropy, raised $179,000 for current hurricane relief. For Katrina, the organization received $150 million, a whopping 839 times as much. Organizations such as the Red Cross and the Salvation Army cite the current economic climate as well as the way governmental agencies now impact private organizations. The Red Cross has consequently turned to Congress, asking for $150 million to support hurricane victims.

[via The Chronicle of Philanthropy]

Fundraisers See Disappointing Response to Recent Disasters originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 27 Sep 2008 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Guggenheim Foundation Appoints 5th Director

Tracy Chait — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Charity

The Guggenheim Foundation has announced its appointment of its fifth director since its inception in 1937, former Director of the Carnegie Museum of Art, Richard Armstrong. Mr. Armstrong also spent 11 years at New York's Whitney Museum. He will have vast reach over the art world in his new position, as he controls both the Guggenheim Museum and its foundation, as well as Guggenheim institutions in the leading art capitals of Venice, Bilbao, Berlin and soon enough, Abu Dhabi (the Guggenheim Museum will open there in 2013).

The 89th and 5th fixture has recently undergone a $29 million restoration, just in time for Armstrong's arrival. He starts in November.

Guggenheim Foundation Appoints 5th Director originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 26 Sep 2008 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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