Louboutin Rodita sandal (only 100 made), $895 – 100% of proceeds benefit Asian elephant rescue

Legendary (or maybe even life-changing depending on whom you ask) shoe designers, Christian Louboutin and Manolo Blahnik have created two gorgeous sandals to benefit the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation in Thailand.

The shoes can be purchased exclusively from Footcandy on-line.  There seems to be enough stock for the Rihanna-esque, pink zippered, not-at-all-appropriate-for-work  Louboutins. As for the wild leopard pony-hair Manolos, there’s good news and bad. The good is that they are on massive sale; the bad is that there is only a size 10.5 left.

I think Carrie Bradshaw would approve of both. As for the cause, alright, I can see her snickering a little but then I’m sure Samantha would say something witty about designers and their fabulous causes.

Actually, the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation does quite a bit to rescue elephants that have been abused and create a safe haven for them. Baby elephants are in special need of rescue as they are (unbelievably) cute and so are taken into the big cities to turn a profit for the owner by providing entertainment for people. Unfortunately, the owners realize that the little elephants are too much trouble to care for and abandon them in the city.

Manolo Linarescue pumps, $645 - 100% of proceeds benefit Asian elephant rescue

Gucci's Babouska tote for UNICEF, $1,395 - 25% goes to UNICEF

Since 2005 and every year since, Gucci has designed a special collection to benefit UNICEF with 25% of sales from these collections sold in Gucci stores or online going to the non-profit. Between the products, celebrity ambassadors and auctions, the Italian fashion house has done a tremendous job in supporting and publicizing UNICEF’s worthy causes.

Founded in 1946 in response to the desolation caused by WWII, UNICEF – United Nations International Emergency Children’s Fund – is the world’s leading advocate for children, with programs in over 190 countries.

Focusing on practical ways to alleviate the symptoms of poverty and devastion, UNICEF works to secure children’s universal human rights as outlined by the UN.

This year (Feb ’09 – Jan ’10) Frida Giannini has designed the Babouska tote featuring Gucci’s signature logo fabric, studded hardware and heart-shaped crest charm. 25% of the sales will be donated to support UNICEF’s “Schools for Africa” program in Malawi and Mozambique (both in southeastern Africa bordering the Indian Ocean), where over one million children have been orphaned due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

“Schools for Africa” is an initiative between UNICEF, the Nelson Mandela Foundation, and the Hamburg Society whose aim is to promote education for children – focusing the most on those living in extreme poverty.

During the course of its partnership with UNICEF, Gucci has donated over $5M to the organization. For more information on Gucci’s commitment to UNICEF, visit www.gucci.com/unicef

The 2008 initiative featured Rihanna and the Tattoo Heart collection