Support fashion, health and beauty companies which have a heart

I’m a sucker for a good cause. Supporting worthwhile campaigns gives me goosebumps on goosebumps.

Some causes are particularly close to my heart but any that have alliances with fashion, health and beauty companies, really makes me proud to be a part of this industry.

Here are some good reasons to support the companies below … go forth and shop with them, knowing that they have a heart.

Marquise Sydney Children’s Hospital Gold Week

Luxe baby brand Marquise has enlisted the support of the finest in Australian fashion to support Sydney Children’s Hospital’s Gold Week (May 30-June 5, 2011) through the Marquise designer singlet fundraiser. This year’s designer portfolio includes new mother and David Jones Fashion Ambassador Miranda Kerr, Brett Lee, Sass and Bide, Zimmermann, Bassike, Kirrily Johnston, Peter Alexander, Mimco, Collette Dinnigan, camilla and marc, Gail Elliott (designer of Little Joe Woman), Leona Edmiston, Lee Matthews, Ginger and Smart, Fleur Wood, Morrison, Megan Park, Jac and Jack, Farage, Rachel Gilbert and Sambag. Marquise has called on each designer to create their own unique singlet to be framed and sold in support of Gold Week 2011, which is the major fundraising and awareness campaign for the hospital.

Marquise has also enlisted the support of camilla and marc, Mimco, Lee Matthews, Fleur Wood and Gail Elliott (designer of Little Joe Woman) to design a Limited Edition Singlet range. The Limited Edition Singlet range will see a Marquise baby basics singlet transformed with a personalised, screen printed design. 100% of the proceeds from the singlet sales will go directly towards supporting the Hospital’s seriously ill and injured patients.

Westfield Bondi Junction is hosting the Marquise designer singlet exhibition from June 2-12. Shoppers can buy their favourite beautifully framed design or one of the Limited Edition Singlets at www.westfield.com.au

The Kirrily Johnston Marquise singlet for the Sydney Children’s Hospital’s Gold Week

Berlei bra recycle

This is the last day for you to take part in this year’s Berlei Bra Recycle Program.  This month, Australian women have supported support women here and and around the world by donating bras throughout Myer stores and 200 specialty stores nationally.  Last year 40,000 bras were donated – the equivalent of 2.34 tonnes.  This initiative helps to reduce landfill, creates employment opportunities in developing nations and helps other deserving women to access of a basic necessity. On top of this, for every 10 bras recycled, $1 is being donated to the Breast Cancer Network of Australia (BCNA).  www.berlei.com.au

Berlei ambassador Kate Cebrano drops a bra into the Berlei Bra Recycle bin

Alex Perry takes Pledge to Quit

International fashion designer Alex Perry has launched Pledge to Quit – a national initiative to encourage Australians to quit smoking together for World No Tobacco Day – today, May 31.

As the Pledge to Quit ambassador, Alex proudly took the first pledge with the support of his wife Mary and work colleagues. “My wife has quit for several months now so I have taken the Pledge to Quit because I feel I owe it to her to support her decision,” said Alex. “I have been trying to quit smoking for years.  I have stopped for several months or weeks at a time, however I usually start up again. Pledge to Quit is the perfect opportunity for me to quit with the support of other Aussie smokers.”

Australians can Pledge to Quit smoking or pledge to support their family and friends quitting via a specially-developed Facebook page. Supported by Nicabate, the initiative hopes to set an Australian record for the largest number of people pledging to quit smoking together.

Take the Pledge to Quit at www.PledgeToQuit.com.au.

Alex Perry takes Pledge to Quit

Time to don your tracky dacks

MOR Cosmetics‘ charity partner, TLC for Kids, is hosting an evening to kick start Tracky Dack Day – a new fundraiser to support Kids in Hospital.  Fashion Supports Tracky Dack Day is a cocktail soiree and runway show on the rooftop of Melbourne’s Whitehouse Institute. It’s on Thurdsay, June 9 from 6pm and will feature a unique showcase of designs created especially for this one night event hosted by Sarah Gale. Australia’s leading fashion and celebrity stylist, Philip Boon will be styling the runway.  Tickets are $40. MOR is proud to be gifting each guest at this amazing event.  TLC for Kids provides emergency distractions to nurture the emotional wellbeing of kids undergoing medical treatment.  National Tracky Dack Day is on July 1.  Register here and proudly wear your tracky on that day.

Khiel’s Gives

On June 15 Kiehl’s Gives will officially launch via www.KiehlsGives.com, a charity project pledging $160,000 to charitable organisations around the world – but it’s up to Kiehl’s fans to determine how much money goes where. Log onto the Kiehl’s Gives website from June 15 – August 31 and vote for – Children’s Causes, Environmental Causes or HIV/AIDS Causes.

Under each Cause pillar, there are eight charitable organisations worldwide (so Kiehl’s is supporting 24 charities in total). The pillar which receives the most votes will receive the biggest donation to distribute among its eight charities. Australia is participating under the Environmental Causes pillar and supporting Wildlife Warriors Australia – the charity founded by Steve and Terri Irwin back in 2002.

Do you take notice of which brands are supporting charities and worthwhile causes?  Does it affect where you spend your money?