With models and designers supporting the cause, we’re one step closer to a cure.
By Claudine Ko
Lily Donaldson’s aunt struggled for years with it, as did Lily Cole’s grandmother. “Breast cancer can affect anyone,” said Cole, who is featured, along with Donaldson, in the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer (FTBC) polo shirt campaign with luxury fashion retailer Net-a-Porter. Gisele Bündchen, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Helena Christensen, Shalom Harlow, and Eva Herzigova have all been wearing FTBC shirts to support the fight against breast cancer since the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) launched the FTBC initiative in 1994. And you can, too.
According to Diane von Furstenberg, president of the CFDA, “Nina Hyde, who was a very important fashion journalist from The Washington Post, got breast cancer, and it was really early on and unfortunately, she passed away. She was very close to Ralph Lauren, and Ralph Lauren really wanted to do something.”
Since then, FTBC has raised $40 million for breast cancer charities worldwide through various exclusive partnerships with designers, and has expanded globally to include eight more countries. The polo shirt initiative relaunches on July 3 and will continue through September 25 with Fashion Targets Summer Fridays in an effort to inspire the working masses to wear Ralph Lauren’s limited-edition shirt on “Summer Fridays.”
“It’s an overwhelming problem, and it’s really hard to see how you can help,” said Cole. “By going on Net-a-Porter.com and supporting Fashion Targets Breast Cancer worldwide, it’s a simple way to make a big difference.”
In addition, you can support the cause by purchasing these other specially designed fashion items (details at www.fashiontargetsbreastcancer.org):
• Calvin Klein Performance FTBC yoga mat
• Elson Rugs Fashion Underfoot II (including designers Oscar de la Renta, Marchesa, Lilly Pulitzer, Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein Home, Cynthia Rowley, Adam Lippes for ADAM, Doo.Ri, Peter Som, Thakoon, and Tory Burch)
• Elson Rugs Fashion Underfoot I (including designers Stephen Burrows, Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, Reed Krakoff of Coach, Robert Lee Morris, Christina Perrin, Richard Lambertson and John Truex, and Narciso Rodriguez and Yeohlee Teng)
• Coach tote
• FTBC charm bracelet (including designers Robert Lee Morris, Lisa Jenks, Stephen Dweck, Diane von Furstenberg, and Betsey Johnson)
• Marc Ecko “Style and Sound” iPod case
• Scoop flat
• Signed American Fashion books
[The models who have all worn FTBC shirts]
Gisele Bündchen
Naomi Campbell
Esther Canadas
Helena Christensen
Cindy Crawford
Lily Cole
Lily Donaldson
Linda Evangelista
Jerry Hall
Shalom Harlow
Eva Herzigova
Iman
Du Juan
Jodie Kidd
Yasmin Le Bon
Kate Moss
Sarah O’Hare
Sasha
Claudia Schiffer
Fernanda Tavares
Ai Tominaga
Christy Turlington
Twiggy
Amber Valletta
Daria Werbowy
