A Brief Guide to Fashionable Giving: The Fashion Community Reaches Out to Help Japan

Every day, somewhere in the world, tragedy strikes and hearts are broken. The coverage of the Pacific’s earthquakes and tsunami continuing to rattle Northern Japan has brought thousands of individual tragedies and broken hearts to our television screens. We watched the crisis with sad spirits, feeling helpless for Japanese families and those affected by the destruction. Being students at the University of San Francisco, we are trained to extend our hands to those in need in our community and beyond. Yes, Japan is many miles away, but our diverse campus community at USF is made up of many who are connected to the tragedy.

While almost every media outlet is providing information on how to contribute dollars to the efforts in Japan, there are other ways to give and create awareness to the cause. Leave it to philanthropic designers in the fashion industry to provide support with perks, connecting your credit card as an IV to the Red Cross to aid those in need.

Red Crossing
Red Bags by  Rebecca Minkoff
The red circle on the Japan flag symbolizes the rising sun. Help the sun rise in Japan this season by carrying a red Rebecca Minkoff bag with each sale supporting the Red Cross. Not only will your ruby bag cross your heart and sway at your side with fierce style, but $100 of each bag purchased will be donated to help provide medical care, food and shelter to thousands affected by the tsunami. Prices range from $294-$495 for all styles and occasions.
Handbags

Love in the Mix
We Love Japan T-Shirts
by Tory Burch
Help carry on the Tory Burch craze of comfy leather and gold T-emblem flats to the designer’s Japan relief t-shirt. No need to worry about this charitable fashion item going out of style as the t-shirt camouflages its message with rows of petit Japan flags surrounding one row of red hearts. No matter if worn under a blazer, thrown on with denim, or cuddled up in bed as a PJ shirt, your heart will feel its warmth with 100 percent of proceeds heading straight to the Red Cross. This relief effort is just $29 with no shipping cost. Cute, comfy and charitable.
http://www.toryburch.com/japan-relief/13112196,default,pd.html

A Wave of Relief
Wave Necklace by Jewelry
for a Cause
The wave that destroyed Northern Japan was unstoppable, fluid and powerful. It is now our turn to fight the destruction with an unstoppable, fluid and powerful aid to reconstruct the lives affected. Charm the idea of lending a helping hand by honoring Japan with a wave charm around your neck by Jewelry for a Cause. The two $30 blue wave pendents are modern and easy to incorporate into your accessory rotation with more than 20 percent rolling to the Red Cross. This necklace duo is perfect to share as a gift with any friend or family member and is fashionable for ladies and gentlemen alike.
http://www.jewelryforacause.net/thebluewave.html

Positive Bandwagon
Fashion
Charity T-Shirt for Japan
by Anna Sui
The weight of the earthquake and tsunami crisis is an impossible handful to balance. However, Anna Sui’s t-shirts (designed by Dean Landry) show hands holding the heart of Japan announcing, “Japan: We’re All in This Together.” Unify this effort by choosing to purchase this shirt for $20 in a women’s lavender or a men’s black. 100 percent of proceeds go to Japan disaster relief. The world of Anna Sui communicates imagination and nostalgia, so this is a perfect piece to remember destruction while realizing healing is on the horizon.
http://shop.annasui.com/T-SHIRTS/CHARITY-T-SHIRT-FOR-JAPAN-WOMEN-S-p89.html

The fashion industry endures the criticism of selfishness and snobbery but it also provides one of the most compassionate artistic outlets to extend a helping hand. Let your guard down and consider shopping for a cause. Keep your eyes open for tsunami relief t-shirts, red hot Rebecca Minkoff satchels, and symbolic waves around our necks to see fashionable support at USF. Courage will help rebuild Japan. We must stand together to support the cause as an institution specializing in humane relations.
Through donations, fashion, or hands on service, USF awareness and concern shall be addressed to contribute to our world’s well being.

Editor-in-Chief: Heather Spellacy

Chief Copy-editor: Natalie Cappetta

Scene Editor: Tracy Sidler