In honor of Giving Tuesday, the CFDA is taking some time to reflect on all the ways that we give back. The CFDA Foundation is built on the idea that we have a responsibility to incite as much positive change as possible, leveraging our position in the industry to serve our members and the fashion community across the country. Along with our year-round efforts to raise money for our Fashion Targets Breast Cancer initiative, we, after a turbulent year in women’s and human rights, dedicated ourselves this year  to speaking up for those whose rights are at stake. Spurred on by the desperate need of aid in the wake of a series of natural disasters that hit the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Mexico, we also made it a goal to ramp up our disaster relief efforts and kick into action. Here is a look at a few ways we have acted on our philanthropic and civic responsibility in 2017.

Fashion Stands with Planned Parenthood

In time for February’s NYFW: Women’s, we teamed up with Planned Parenthood to create a Fashion Stands with Planned Parenthood magnetic pin. The project was spearheaded by Tracy Reese, and the pin was distributed to more than 50 CFDA members and designers showing at fashion week. They all wore the pin during their show, put them on their models, posted on social media, or handed them out to guests.  For each #IstandwithPP post with a corresponding photo, $5 was donated to Planned Parenthood.

After a successful first season, we brought the program to NYFW: Men’s with 20 designers participating. The message was clear: we as an industry are behind Planned Parenthood.

Fashion for ACLU

Never has there been a more pivotal moment to stand with those that don’t have a voice. In time for NYFW: Women’s in September, the CFDA partnered with the ACLU to launch Fashion for ACLU. We worked with more than 50 designers to spread a special ACLU x NYFW ribbon across social media during Fashion Week in a show of support from designers, models, and media.

Fashion Targets Breast Cancer

More than two decades after the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer initiative began, the CFDA continues the work started by Ralph Lauren in 1994. This year saw our partnership with Fabletics continue to raise money and awareness, thanks to FTBC ambassador Kate Hudson.  As one of the pillars of the CFDA Foundation, FTBC remains a core program for our philanthropic efforts.

CFDA Disaster Relief

In the wake of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Jose, and Maria, the devastating earthquakes in Mexico, and the wildfire crisis in Northern California, we faced an immediate outpouring of concern from our members who looked to the CFDA to respond quickly to natural disasters. With donations to the American Red Cross, Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund, and Project Paz, we hope to provide a little bit of relief where it is needed most.

AIDS Walk

The CFDA Foundation continues the work started in 1990 to raise funds for HIV/AIDS, acting on our responsibility to support the men and women in the fashion industry, and use our influence and connections to support the New York City AIDS Walk. Thanks to our members and supporters, we were able to raise a record amount for Team CFDA.

The CFDA is always developing new partnerships to support programs like Planned Parenthood and the ACLU. As President and CEO Steven Kolb said, “Upholding our civic responsibility and positively impacting the design community and society are at the core the CFDA Foundation. By giving back, we aim to creative positive change.”

We would like to thank all of our members for continuing to support the CFDA’s efforts to make a difference.