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Designers Against Aids [1] (abbreviated DAA) is an international project launched in Belgium in 2004, developed by the non-profit organization Beauty Without Irony, which spreads HIV/AIDS global awareness by using pop culture, celebrities, fashion, and sports to target younger generations, mainly from Western countries. DAA also expresses the need of media coverage on this disease. MTV, New York Post , Vanity Fair , Vogue , Le Monde, Canal+, Cosmopolitan , Knack, El País and International Herald Tribune have reported on DAA and its cause.
Fashion Against Aids campaigns
DAA is mostly known for their collaboration with fashion company H&M, with whom they launched two "Fashion Against Aids" campaigns in which popular artists designed t-shirts for H&M to raise funds for HIV/AIDS prevention projects, including MTV's "Staying Alive." The collections launched in 2008 and 2009 featured celebrities like Rihanna, Dita Von Teese, N.E.R.D, Timbaland, Moby, Estelle, Tokio Hotel, Yoko Ono, and Katharine Hamnett. 25% of the sales price of the T-shirts are directly donated to MTV Staying Alive, UNFPA, YouthAIDS and Designers Against Aids
DAA clothing collections
Next to the yearly FAA campaigns, DAA regularly releases clothing items that have been designed by notable designers and artists, such as Chicks On Speed, Tim Van Steenbergen, and La Casita de Wendy. These exclusives are sold in shops worldwide. In September 2016, DAA collaborated with a Belgian fashion brand Essentiel Antwerp. The collection was inspired by the clubbing scene and club culture from the 90's to reflect the core of DAA's work. [2] There's also a video tribute made which can be accessed via DAA's website page on this collaboration .
DAA plans to open its International HIV/AIDS Awareness Education Center in 2010 in Antwerp, Belgium to host students from all over the world and include them in prevention and awareness programs which they can later set up in their own countries.
Since 2008, "Models Against Aids" informs young models about the dangers of HIV/AIDS. In addition, some of the models raise funds for DAA projects, take part in campaigns and speak out about the need for HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention.
July 2008: Exhibition of DAA T-shirts customized by Spanish artists and designers at the International Benicàssim Festival in Spain. September 2008: The proceeds of exclusive denim-themed pieces which were auctioned at the Lee Cooper 100 Years Auction in Paris went to Designers Against Aids (and Red Cross France). October 2008: A perfume line named Six Scents is launched to raise money for the IHAEC. Six fragrances are produced by Symrise, Metaproject and Joseph Quartana (Seven New York). June 2009: DAA releases a bedlinen collection in Europe, manufactured by Mistral Home Textiles. The duvet covers and pillowcases are designed by celebrities such as Vive la fête, Bas Kosters, Kate Ryan and Percy Irausquin. The proceeds will again be donated to the International HIV/AIDS Awareness Education Center.
Kenneth D. Cole is an American designer, social activist, business owner, and philanthropist. His global company, Kenneth Cole Productions, creates clothing and other products under the labels Kenneth Cole New York, Reaction Kenneth Cole, and Unlisted, as well as footwear under the label Gentle Souls.
The red ribbon, as an awareness ribbon, is used as the symbol for the solidarity of people living with HIV/AIDS, and for the awareness and prevention of drug abuse and drunk driving.
Marc Jacobs is an American fashion designer. He is the head designer for his own fashion label, Marc Jacobs, and formerly Marc by Marc Jacobs, a diffusion line, which was produced for approximately 15 years, before it was discontinued after the 2015 fall/winter collection. At its peak, it had over 200 retail stores in 80 countries. He was the creative director of the French design house Louis Vuitton from 1997 to 2014. Jacobs was on Time magazine's "2010 Time 100" list of the 100 most influential people in the world, and was #14 on Out magazine's 2012 list of "50 Most Powerful Gay Men and Women in America". He married his longtime partner Charly Defrancesco on April 6, 2019.
Moschino is an Italian luxury fashion house founded in 1983 by Franco Moschino in Milan known for over-the-top, campy designs. The company specializes in ready-to-wear, handbags, and fashion accessories. Moschino's creative director is Adrian Appiolaza.
The Life Ball in Vienna is the biggest charity event in Europe supporting people with HIV or AIDS. The event is organized by the nonprofit organization AIDS LIFE, which was founded in 1992 by Gery Keszler and Torgom Petrosian.
The Elton John AIDS Foundation(EJAF) is a nonprofit organization, established by musician Sir Elton John in 1992 in the United States and 1993 in the United Kingdom to support innovative HIV prevention, education programs, direct care and support services to people living with or at risk of HIV. It has raised over $565 million to support HIV-related programs across ninety countries.
Product Red is a licensed brand by the company Red that seeks to engage the private sector in raising awareness and funds to help eliminate HIV/AIDS in eight African countries, namely Eswatini, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia. It is licensed to partner companies including Apple Inc., Nike, American Express (UK), The Coca-Cola Company, Starbucks, Converse, Electronic Arts, Primark, Head, Buckaroo, Penguin Classics, Gap, Armani, FIAT, Hallmark (US), SAP, Beats Electronics, and Supercell.
Keep a Child Alive (KCA) is a nonprofit organization that provides healthcare, housing, and other support services to HIV/AIDS-affected communities in Africa and India. Co-founded by Leigh Blake and Alicia Keys, the organization aims to "realize the end of AIDS for children and families, by combating the physical, social and economic impacts of HIV." Keep a Child Alive organizes the annual fundraiser gala The Black Ball, established in 2004, where celebrities and philanthropists gather to support and raise awareness for the cause. Since the first Black Ball, the organization has raised over $28.7 million for HIV/AIDS treatment.
Traver Rains is an American TV personality, celebrity fashion designer, and photographer.
Kate Roberts is a British human rights advocate and humanitarian. She works on a global scale to develop programs and services which target malaria, child survival, HIV/AIDS, gender equality, reproductive health, and non-communicable disease. She is the co-founder of Maverick Collective, together with Mette-Marit, Crown Princess of Norway and Melinda French Gates, The Body Agency, and YouthAIDS and Five & Alive, subsidiaries of Population Services International (PSI), where she served as Senior Vice President.
Deborah Priya Henry, also known as Priya Emmanuel, is a Malaysian TV host, former model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe Malaysia 2011 but did not make it to the semifinalists round. She was also crowned Miss Malaysia World 2007, and placed in the Top 15 at Miss World 2007.
Hannelore Knuts is a Belgian model, actress, and artist known for her androgynous appearance and versatility. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with numerous top photographers like Steven Meisel, Inez and Vinoodh, Karl Lagerfeld, Steven Klein and Juergen Teller as well as designers and brands including Alexander McQueen, Prada, Hermès, Chanel, Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Ann Demeulemeester and many more. She has appeared on multiple international covers of Vogue as well as V, Dazed, Harper’s Bazaar and L’Officiel - solidifying her position as an icon in the world of fashion.
Henry Holland is an English fashion designer, businessman and blogger from Ramsbottom, Greater Manchester.
Staying Alive is an MTV international initiative to encourage HIV prevention, promote safer lifestyle choices and fight the stigma and discrimination that fuels the HIV epidemic. Staying Alive is the world's largest HIV mass media awareness and prevention campaign in the world. It produces TV programming in the form of concerts, documentaries, public service announcements, TV film, film competitions, and others. It also has a website with celebrity content talking about safe sex.
Carmen Marc Valvo is an American designer who specializes in evening wear and high-end cocktail dresses for a line of the same name, founded in 1989. He also has an eyewear collection, a lingerie collection, a swimsuit line which is a best-seller at Victoria's Secret, and a Hamptons-inspired home collection, called CMV Home sold through QVC. He most recently launched a collection of evening bags and an exclusive Bridal Collection, in 2010. Valvo is best known for his tailored fit and form-fitting dresses.
The SING Campaign is a UK-based, non-governmental, nonprofit organization founded by artist/activist Annie Lennox which aims to raise funds and awareness for issues surrounding HIV/AIDS. The money raised by SING is used to help prevent the spread of HIV in South Africa, and also to support those currently living with HIV. Comic Relief manages the SING fund, and assists in co-ordinating the SING campaign.
Ralph Lauren Corporation, the legal name of the Ralph Lauren brand, is an American publicly traded luxury fashion company that was founded in 1967 by American fashion designer Ralph Lauren. Headquartered in New York City, the company produces luxury products. Ralph Lauren is known for marketing and distributing products in four categories: apparel, home, accessories, and fragrances. Known mostly for its flagship brand Polo Ralph Lauren, the company's brands include mid-range, sub-premium, and premium labels up to its highest priced luxury Ralph Lauren Purple Label apparel.
YouthAIDS is an international nongovernmental, nonprofit education, funding, and health initiative of Population Services International (PSI) that provides humanitarian assistance and brings global awareness to the proliferation of HIV/AIDS. The organization is based in Washington, D.C., and reaches out to 600 million youth in over 60 countries through the delivery of information, products, and social services. Methods used to address issues include film, television, and radio; celebrity spokespersons; pop culture initiatives; theatrical productions; music; and sports. Actress and humanitarian Ashley Judd serves the organization as their Global Ambassador.
The Happy Hippie Foundation is an American non-profit organization founded by American singer and entertainer Miley Cyrus on September 17, 2014, and officially launched to the public on May 5, 2015. The foundation focuses on youth homelessness, the LGBTQ community, and other vulnerable populations.
Robert Duffy is an American businessman. He is the co-founder of the fashion label Marc Jacobs as well as the Marc by Marc Jacobs diffusion line. Both Marc Jacobs and the Marc by Marc Jacobs collections included women's ready-to-wear, men's ready-to-wear, children's ready-to-wear, and accessories for all divisions.