Versace Art Unites Tote, $250 - 100% of profits go to children's charities

I was walking back from Saks yesterday on my lunch break and noticed one of these funky, whimsical totes in the window of Versace. Over the summer, the Italian fashion heavyweight in collaboration with the Whitney Museum of American Art enlisted the help of 1,400 children in China and the US (who have been affected by illness or earthquakes ) to design these limited edition tote bags.

Just launched in October, each one-of-a-kind tote is printed with original drawings by these kids centered around the theme of friendship. The tote also features a tag with the name and age of the child who designed it, making it quite a personal and extra meaningful fashion statement!

100% of the proceeds from theses totes will be donated by Versace to the One Foundation and the Starlight Children’s Foundation. The One Foundation was founded by actor Jet Li and the Chinese Red Cross and provides aid to those people affected by the earthquake in China’s Sichuan province. The Starlight Children’s Foundation works to create programs that educate, entertain and inspire seriously ill children and their families.

 ”I have been blessed with incredible success in my life,” explains Donatella.  “And part of that success means being able to give back to people in need.  As a mother, children’s causes are especially close to my heart…”

The totes are available in Versace stores nationwide and online at Gilt.

Donatella with one of Versace's newest designers