Rachel Roy's tote

In light of the recent floods in Pakistan, funky designer Rachel Roy has configured a simple tote with a very powerful statement. She has teamed up with UNICEF to aid the 10 million children affected by these horrific July 2010 floods. With every tote sold, Roy will be donating $20 to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF’S disaster relief and recovery efforts. Help provide clean drinking water, proper nutrition, and many other services to the children in Pakistan through this trendy purchase.

Head online and pre-order your “Kindness Is Always Fashionable” tote today, but you will have to wait until after the holidays for it to be in your hands. The totes will ship January 5th (think of it as a post-holiday gift). This tote will fit all of you needed necessities and more, so space complements the big impact you can have with this totally “fashionable” purchase for a mere $20. Plus, this tote can go with any outfit and send a mighty message to everyone who sneaks a peek at the lettering.

Gucci for UNICEF special edition Sukey bag

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To mark the 6th year of the Gucci partnership with UNICEF, Gucci is offering this sophisticated Sukey bag from April 2010 through February 2011.  The luxury firm will donate 25% of its proceeds from the special edition Sukey bag to UNICEF.

“From a distance, Miteme Junior Primary School look slike a marketplace with vendors in school uniform.  On close inspection, one realizes this is a school without a single classroom.  Classes one to five are all held under trees; only class five has desks.”  As reporter Kusali Kubwalo writes for UNESCO, Kusali paints a poignant picture of the inadequacy of educational infrastructure in Lilongwe, Malawi.  This perspective is representative of many education systems in Africa, reflecting on my visit to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso in 2007, nearly 70 students are crammed into a classroom that would normally seat 30 according to Western standards.

The funds raised will benefit UNICEF’s ‘Schools for Africa’ programs in Malawi and Mozambique, where children are not only deprived of education opportunities, nearly one million of them have lost their parents by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

The Sukey bag is designed by Creative Director Frida Giannini who also named it “La Pelle Guccissima.”  The bag is derived from a classic Gucci design adorned with its iconic monogram.  The elegant grey is both sophisticated and versatile, whether you sport it as arm candy, or wardrobe essential, the Sukey is appropriate for all four  seasons.

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The best part of owning this timeless luxury? 10% of the proceeds are donated to UNICEF – United Nations International Emergency Children’s Fund – which is the world’s leading non-profit for children, with programs in over 190 countries.

The Signature for Good collection is just another example of the Swiss companies tradition of giving back.  They have also created a sterling silver pendant for Jewelers for Children and gold bangles for the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

Linea Pelle Alyssa Clutch, on sale for $98 - 50% of proceeds go to either UNICEF or Doctors Without Borders (your choice).

We all know the celebrities have come out en masse to support the awful earthquake in Haiti, so it’s about time luxury caught up! Leather goods brand Linea Pelle is generously marking down the prices of a selection of its handbags and giving 50% of the profits to your choice of charities – UNICEF or Doctors Without Borders.

The selection is quite limited, but I think the Alyssa Clutch (featured in the image) is a winner and it’s half off!

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 devastation, UNICEF works to secure children’s universal human rights as outlined by the UN.

Founded in France in 1971, Doctors without Borders is an international medical non-profit providing humanitarian and emergency care to people in over 60 countries affected by desolation, armed conflict and epidemics.

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

Cartier Love Charity bracelet, $700 - $100 is donated to celebrity-backed charities

Leave it to Cartier, the King of Jewelers and the Jeweler of Kings, to up the ante on products with a purpose. The interesting spin? You can choose your special bracelet according to your favorite color, celebrity or cause!

The Love Charity bracelet is a fun way to be stylish and show your passion to give back. The silk bracelets feature a miniature pink gold version of their popular Love bracelet.

They retail for $700, $100 of which is donated to a celebrity-backed charity (according to which bracelet you choose).

Here is the list organized by celebrity:

• Rosario Dawson: Youth AIDS, Red Bracelet
• Salma Hayek: The Salma Hayek Foundation, White Bracelet
• Scarlett Johansson: USA Harvest, Baby Pink Bracelet
• Spike Lee: Kanbar Institute of Film and Television, Purple Bracelet
• Edward Norton: Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust, Green Bracelet
• Sarah Jessica Parker: UNICEF, Blue Bracelet
• Michael Stipe: Mercy Corps / Gulf Coast Recovery, Black Bracelet
• Liv Tyler: The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Deep Pink Bracelet

Faith Hill, Eva Mendes and Rachel Weisz sporting the charity bracelets at an event in NYC