Fashion Delivers for Haiti raised $20 million in apparel and homewares for the earthquake-ravaged country, hoping to exceed $25 million in total. Items still needed: lightweight men's and women's apparel and basics like socks and underwear.
The organization, which was created after Hurricane Katrina, tailors its efforts to supply necessities to countries torn apart by natural disaster. Several companies participated in donating the goods, including American Apparel, Hanes, Forever 21, Free People, Perry Ellis and others. Overall, the fashion community has been pretty impressive in raising product and funds for Haiti, between Fashion Delivers and Naomi Campbell's highly-publicized runway show.
The private sector is getting help from the government in their efforts to bolster the country's garment industry, which in 2009 was a half-billion-dollar industry, prior to the earthquake. The recently announced Plus One for Haiti initiative encourages companies to shift 1% of production to Haiti, while the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity Partnership Encouragement Act (HOPE), gives apparel manufactured in Haiti duty-exempt status to the U.S. market.
To donate to Fashion Delivers for Haiti, visit fashiondelivers.org and click on a banner, or call 212-629-6700, ext. 221 to request a donation form.
