Retail & Celebrity Charity News September 8

Ottavia et Emma debuted its spring/summer 2009 collection at New York Fashion Week, showing sleek dresses and separates that prove timeless pieces don’t have to be conservative or boring. A collection of loose yet tailored pieces primarily in off-white, khaki and black employ thin knits and silk to create elegant looks that achieve modern effortless style.

Some of our favorites include thin pleated skirts; knit tank dresses and a detailed long-sleeved scoop neck shirt with gathered sleeves. While most will likely suit thin and tall frames, the tops will work on most figures thanks to flattering necklines.

Ottavia et Emma has a big following in France and is gaining popularity in the U.S., with placement at about seven stores, including Bella Reine in Los Angeles, Custom Shirts in La Jolla and Florodora in Chicago. The company is in talks for distribution at Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus and will add about 15 stores to its distribution by Thanksgiving 2008.

Singer/songwriter Natasha Bedingfield performed her hit singles Unwritten and Pocketful of Sunshine at PS 180 in New York on September 9, as part of an effort with VH1’s Save the Music Foundation and LG Mobile Phones to highlight music education in public schools. She is also donating a live version ringtone of her new single Angel from her sophomore album Pocketful of Sunshine, which can be purchased at save.vh1.com or by texting SAVE to 66555. Proceeds from the ringtone, available through September 28, will benefit music education programs in public schools across the United States.

The Japanese company Fasting Retailing Co. is looking to increase sales by 70% by 2010, and plans to open stores in Russia, Singapore and India. The company’s Uniqlo brand, which sells basics such as jeans and t-shirts at reasonable prices, already has stores in the United States, the United Kingdom, South Korea and China. According to the India Times, Fast Retailing hopes to capitalize on the current decline in global stock markets by making acquisitions in Japan and abroad, but has been unsuccessful thus far closing big deals for a number of reasons including competition from foreign companies including H&M, which will launch its first store in Japan soon.

The newest piece of (RED) apparel to benefit the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria will be a t-shirt designed by Julia Roberts and available through Armani, both online and in Emporio Armani stores. The shirt, available in men’s and women’s sizes, features the words “revolution.evolution.devotion”, Roberts’ graphic design of the tree of life, and the actress’ signature. The Fund, created by Bono and Bobby Shriver, has received over $110 million since its inception in 2006 from (RED) events and merchandise, which includes clothing, accessories and fragrances.

Radio City Music Hall was the place to be Friday night as the worlds of fashion and music came together to raise money for “Stand Up To Cancer,” the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s program to benefit cancer research, at the taping of Fashion Rocks 2008. The fifth annual event first aired September 9 on CBS, featuring performances by Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, the Black Eyed Peas, and Timbaland. A live telethon for Stand Up To Cancer aired during the taping on ABC, NBC and CBS, including a performance from the show of the charity’s single “Just Stand Up” by many of its participating artists, including Rihanna, Mariah Carey and Miley Cyrus. The show’s organizer, Conde Nast Media Group, is teaming with Citi and eBay Giving Works, to host a charity auction from September 5 – 15 at www.ebay.com/fashionrocks, with items including merchandise autographed by Fashion Rocks performers and tickets to fashion industry events.

On Thursday, September 4, the Be EcoChic Campaign, which aims to increase awareness of their environmental impact, hosted its first fashion show at the American Museum of Natural History. The event fea
tured environmentally-friendly, sustainable and recycled fabrics used to create designs by labels including DKNY, Carmen Marc Valvo, Vena Cava and FORM. Celebrities and environmentalists including Susie Castillo, Tamara Tunie and Janyi Chase modeled the outfits. As part of the show’s effort to be eco-friendly, donations were made to CarbonFund.org.