Image via Ralph Lauren
Everyone does it.
Livestrong yellow bracelets. ($1.00 USD per item)
Designer Obama For America t-shirts. (various, most expensive at $70+ during campaign)
Diamond encrusted, golden keys to Keep a Child Alive. ($5,000 USD per item)
It’s everywhere: fashion for a good cause.
But when is does it become too much?
It’s an interesting question and debate, especially since everything I mentioned above is for a regular non-profit organization that isn’t directly related to a horrendous, eventful tragedy.
Image via Ralph Lauren
Image via Ralph Lauren
Recently, American designer and red, white and blue extraordinaire, Ralph Lauren (in partnership with the United Way), came up with a set of $98.00-$110.00 USD polo shirts called “Haiti Relief Polos.”
Red, white, blue or black with the Haitian flag and the polo horse you can purchase a designer shirt from the Blue Label or POLO RALPH LAUREN. You can even get it in the skinny, classic, big and tall or custom fits.
Talk about options; options that include about nine different size choices.
But with all the choices, the premise that 100 percent of the proceeds will go to Haiti and the opportunity to dress to impress — is this too much?
Image via Ralph Lauren
Image via Ralph Lauren
Support the Haitian relief efforts with our limited-edition polo shirt.
100% of the proceeds from the sale of this shirt will be donated to the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund and its ongoing commitment to rebuilding Haiti.
Classic, comfortable fit in breathable cotton mesh, finished with our embroidered pony at the left chest, applied flag and embroidered “Haiti Relief” at the right chest.
Embroidered “Haiti Relief”, “Ralph Lauren” and “United Way” logo at the back.
Image via Ralph Lauren
Image via Ralph Lauren
A little perspective:-
- Is this a great thing, or highly insensitive?
- Is this a ‘proper’/'respectful’ way to raise money, given the context of the event? Or should Ralph Lauren have taken a different route to donate?
- Does this seem like it’s part of a publicity, self-righteous campaign for the American fashion house to seem like a good, caring set of folks?
- Do you find the massive logos, commercialism on the back of the shirt etc. a bit much?
- Or are Ralph Lauren and Co., just doing their part of a very good deed?
- Can it be both a good deed AND self-righteous? Or neither and something else?
If you are interested in purchasing one or finding out more about their campaign and clothing line, please visit here.
*All images belong to Ralph Lauren and POLO RALPH LAUREN*
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Sasha Muradali runs the ‘Little Pink Book’ . She holds a B.S. in Public Relations from the University of Florida with a minor in Dance (’07) and an M.A. in International Administration from the University of Miami (’08). She loves Twitter and all things social media, so you should find her @SashaHalima or get a copy of the ‘Little Pink Book’ delivered to your Kindle.
Copyright © 2009-2010 Sasha H. Muradali. All Rights Reserved.
I think they are probably trying to generate some publicity over the tragedy in Haiti, but at least 100% of the proceeds go towards the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund. I would say that Ralph Lauren could have just sent a check on his company's behalf but the sales of these shirts may turn out to be more than the initial check he may have wrote.
I think they are probably trying to generate some publicity over the tragedy in Haiti, but at least 100% of the proceeds go towards the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund. I would say that Ralph Lauren could have just sent a check on his company's behalf but the sales of these shirts may turn out to be more than the initial check he may have wrote.