Fighting Breast Cancer with Style

November 12, 2009 jemj431

Breast cancer awareness took the runway at the Spring 2010 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in September to mark a milestone for a global charitable organization.

As a worldwide initiative of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), Fashion Targets Breast Cancer (FTBC) is in its 15th year of helping women diagnosed with breast cancer gain access to reliable health information and quality health care. Over the years, the foundation has raised more than $50 million for breast cancer charities worldwide. Its network of supporters includes fashion designers, models, and retailers.

In commemoration of its 15th anniversary, the CFDA teamed up with multimedia retailer QVC to create QVC Designer Charms for Charity. The collection features charms from some of CFDA’s top designers, including Robert Lee Morris, Anthony Nak, Bradley Bayou, George Simonton, and Marc Bouwer. The crowning jewel of the collection is the 15th Anniversary FTBC charm. The pieces were also featured in QVC’s broadcasts from Fashion Week and they were also available for purchase on QVC’s website.

“It is an honor to be working with the CFDA for this wonderful cause,” said Claire Watts, president of U.S. Commerce for QVC. “Not only is it a great way for our shoppers to purchase one of these exclusive charms but it also allows them to give back to a great organization.”

Fashion Targets Breast Cancer was the initial inspiration of Ralph Lauren after the loss of his close friend Nina Hyde. According to Diane von Furstenberg, president of the CFDA, “Nina Hyde, who was a very important fashion journalist from The Washington Post, got breast cancer, and it was really early on and unfortunately, she passed away. She was very close to Ralph Lauren, and Ralph Lauren really wanted to do something.” The initiative was launched in 1994 at the White House during a reception for CFDA members and leaders in the fashion industry, hosted by then-First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton.

FTBC has blossomed to become the global fashion community’s most successful response to breast cancer, with active campaigns in Australia, Ireland, Greece, Cyprus, Canada, Brazil, Turkey, Portugal, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Its primary goal is to impact the broadest number of women possible through the distribution of innovative information, education and outreach.

“It’s an overwhelming problem, and it’s really hard to see how you can help,” said Lily Cole, a model featured in a Fashion Targets Breast Cancer campaign. “By supporting Fashion Targets Breast Cancer worldwide, it’s a simple way to make a big difference.”

For more information on the Council of Fashion Designers of America and Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, please visit www.fashiontargetsbreastcancer.org

Author: Jessica Ferreira

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