Fashion, Music, & Saving the World: Rachel Roy and Wyclef Jean
As consumers, our dollars give us a voice: we can truly make a difference by consciously choosing where we spend money. What we may not realize is that we indirectly employ companies through our purchases, for better or worse. We can change lives by being concerned consumers and putting our money toward companies working to improve the world.
Donating to causes is a wonderful and quick way to help and, in some situations, is one of the best ways to make a difference in the world. But when the chaos of a natural disaster passes, how do you help? Well, you can donate money or time. But you can also help by shopping – yes, SHOPPING! Being a loyal customer of designers and musicians who help people in developing nations and those hit by disaster is a fabulous long term way to help employ and educate those in need.
Here are two causes, championed by two well-known individuals, that you can support simply by shopping. We will be featuring more examples of fashion for a cause over the coming weeks.
Musician Profile: Wyclef Jean
While the name Wyclef Jean might not register right away, his music certainly will. Remember the Fugees? Dancing to Shakira’s “Hips Don’t Lie”? Wyclef, a former member of the Fugees, is the Grammy winning Haitian musician featured on that chart-topping song.
Not only does Wyclef write music we all love to dance to, but he is a loyal philanthropist and diplomat to his native country of Haiti which was recently struck by a devastating earthquake. Wyclef personally delivers help through his organization Yele Haiti and is currently in Haiti with Anderson Cooper to report live from the scene and deliver updates on his blog and twitter.
Help Wyclef give aid to Haiti by donating to his organization, buying a cute shirt or bag from Yele Haiti, or by simply playing his music at your next house party and telling your friends about what he’s doing. For songs, I suggest “Sweetest Girl,” his new songs “Slumdog Millionaire“, “Robotic Love“, ” Hips Don’t Lie”, and fun oldie: “Hollywood meets Bollywood.”
Shirt, Tank and Tote Bag – Yele Haiti
Jeans, Jacket, Necklace, Skirt, Shoes, Pants, and Bag – Rachel Rachel Roy
Designer Profile: Rachel Roy
Rachel Roy is known for her beautiful designs, big smile, and even bigger heart. This spring she is launching a special addition to her Rachel line, handcrafted accessories straight from Africa! By working closely with Fair Winds Trading, Rachel Roy is aiming to help employ women in Rwanda, giving them a reliable source of income so they can provide for their families.
Beautiful Samples from Fair Winds Trading – Photo Credit
Rachel is also raising money to provide clean water to people in developing nations. Instead of celebrating her 36th birthday with a huge party and gifts, she is asking for donations to put toward the cause.
Rachel Roy is a designer to keep your eye on! Help her bring clean water to developing nations, buy her amazing clothes, and be on the look out for her big accessory launch. You can also stay up to date with her on Twitter and Facebook.
What about you? Will you be a concerned consumer?
I would love to hear your feedback on this issue. Do you plan to donate to help the relief effort in Haiti or buy Rachel Roy clothing? Are you a new or old fan of Wyclef Jean? Most importantly, if you are a fan of either of these great artists, tell them so! Also, if you know of any other designers or artists that donate proceeds from their products to a cause, let us know. We may feature them here in the future.
If your student organization would like to help Wyclef and Yele Haiti, contact Nate Erickson at Haitiquakerelief@gmail.com or visit Yele.org. For more info on helping support disaster relief in Haiti, also see Google’s Crisis Response page.
Posted on on January 14, 2010 / Filed Under: Fashion News / Tags: Celebs, Charity, Haiti, rachel roy, Shopping, Wyclef Jean
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JG
I think it’s great when celebrities create something that goes to a good cause. It’s good to know that people are doing what they do for the right reasons and they’re willing to help. I think Wyclef is great. I’ve been a fan since “Perfect Gentleman” and Rachel Roy is such a beautiful woman…I don’t think I’ve ever seen a design by her that I didn’t like.
I’ve already donated to Haiti by texting “Haiti” to 90999 through the Red Cross and I hope everybody can do the same.
I would like to do more though. It’s so terrible what happened and they need all the help they can get.
Great post by the way. Inspiring :)
Ruju
Yeah same, great post :)
Very inspiring
I love listening to ‘hips don’t lie’!
And Rachel Roy is amazing
Shall help to do my bit, either by shooping or by donating
XOXO
Dominique
Thank you so much for talking about this…
my family is from Haiti, and while most of us have lived in America at least since they were children (I’ve lived here all of my life) my grandfather lives in Haiti and it is only chance that he was visiting here when the earthquake hit.
I cannot imagine the fear, despair and hopelessness that much of Haiti is feeling right now. Every bit that people can do would help.
sha' mia
I am so thankful that as a college fashion blog you all can reach beyond measures of clothes and report on world events. You women are truly gifted in what you do. Also as a college student in Florida i have many friends who are of hatiian descent and are still looking for family members today. Once again keep the nation of Haiti in your prayers. And you ladies keep doing a wonderful job . May God Bless everyone :-)
Hannah
I’m glad to see celebrities involved in such important events like the Haiti earthquake relief fund!
I’ve already donated to the Red Cross by texting ‘Haiti’ to 90999 and I’m organizing a fundraiser at my school. The footage of the aftermath of the earthquake is absolutely devastating. I’m sending my best thoughts and wishes to Haiti. Thanks for posting this article and reminding everyone to donate!
Emily
yes i will def be always be a concerned consumer. i also gave $$$ to the american red cross for haiti, you should do it too! http://www.redcross.org
Katherine
Lindsey, this is a great article because it is an intelligent combination of the two things you love – helping people and fashion. These products are smart purchases because there is meaning, not just consumerism, behind them.
Jess Tavesjnhasky
Text 501501 with message ‘Yele Haiti’ and you can donate $5 to the victims in Haiti…. please, we can make this difference.
LSG
thanks for pointing out that we can use fashion to help people and that as consumers socially responsible spending can create change. I worked with a womens cooperative in Morocco that changed the lives of many women whose beautiful work would have been sold for pennies otherwise. supporting conscientious fashion helps people and is a fun way to find new fashions!!
Bizzy
Do NOT donate to Yele. They are having issues with the IRS and they are not sure if the money will actually go to the victims. Donate to the Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, Oxfam, or the International Humane Society.
Also for the Lady Gaga fans, she sent out this tweet: Jan 24th is GAGA FOR HELPING HAITI day. Go to http://www.ladygaga.com on the 24th + 100% of all merchandise purchased goes to earthquake relief.
Lindsey
I was very shocked to read about the Yele “scandal” but I have a feeling it will all be sorted out and the end result will not be as bad as the current situation seems.
I was lucky enough to spend and evening with Wyclef at his recording studio this summer and it is very clear the man is on a mission to save his homeland. This may not all get sorted out right away, he is in Haiti personally digging into the rubble and carrying the dead to makeshift graves. While I don’t know all the details about yele and money I can tell you they are an amazing cause and have a great team, they are also well respected among the Haitian people which is important because of the gangs and violence that may occur. Wyclef get’s more respect from the people then the Haitian government gets, he’s their hero.
With all that said, and I know I’m a bit bias towards him, I hope this get’s sorted out, and please continue to give to the charity of your choice! Doctors with out boarders is a great cause, and medical help is very much needed! Thank you for responding back!
Lindsey
Lindsey
If you guys are interested here is Wyclef’s personal response:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDE8YJac0Wc
Also I would LOVE to hear about relief efforts on campuses across the country! please let me know!
Lindsey
Jeanie
I was wondering if there was any way to contact Wyclef? My friend and I are interested in starting a group to send letters to those in needy situations (we think that even a letter can make a little of a difference to people). We’ve been planning to start this group by sending letters to Haiti, but don’t really know how to get around to it. We need an organization that will help us send on the letters and I remembered this post. I can’t get on to his blog or Twitter so I was wondering if there was any other way to get in contact with him?
michelle
I first have to say I adore this blog and am subscribing asap. Ive been reading these posts for like an hour and finally found a fashion blog that is not all avante garde creepy naked fashion.
To address this particular post, my best friend is Haitian and so is the family that pretty much took me in when I moved on my own to NYC. Its so sad to hear such a spirited people had to suffer through such hardships. I have made various donations and even when I ran out of money I joined a writing contest that donated $2 per article written…and I wrote and wrote! I love how you targeted people who love fashion to support something in a way that they are used to; shopping.
A great site I used to shop on is novica.com. They have a lot of products made from around the globe by people from each nation. If you want a cool wood carved bracelet from Africa to Mayan styled backpack they have it. It really supports people from countries who rely on tourists or selling their goods.
Also, for the investors out there…take a look into micro loans and micro financing. I am about to fund a small business in Africa through a micro loan of about $50. With a 98.7% repayment rate and 9.6% interest returned, I actually make back more than I loaned and can use it to shop or re loan to another cause. Just spreading the global love!