Fashion and Charity - Best In whose interest?

Since 1960, the fashion world has taken a position in numerous social causes. The anti-war movements and women's rights are just a couple of areas where the fashion world has made strong statements. More recently, fashion has taken care to speak and for different charitable causes and in some cases, has been called into question just whose interests are involved.

A prime example of this was the collaboration between Gucci, Prada and Armani and UNICEF, the UN Children's Fund. The reasons and motivations behind this particular collaboration has been questioned by some international groups and, perhaps more significant for the United Nations, from the very front line workers who would receive the proceeds.

Members of the senior staff of UNICEF have strongly expressed their disappointment with close ties to the charity with the world of glamor and celebrity, saying it was demeaning for the work that the UN is doing, as well as having a strong smell of hypocrisy of it.

UNICEF in Pakistan and India have spoken against the alleged working practices of the French group PPR (formerly Pinault-Printemps-Redoute), owners of Gucci and whose Asian suppliers have, for a number of years, has been linked to sweatshops Mumbai and Karachi.

An employee's long-term UNICEF said that, for him, this partnership with Gucci was the final straw and that the feeling among workers is almost unanimous that the name UNICEF is hurt by this company.

Another problem arises with the close links between celebrities and almost every major humanitarian catastrophe. Put the star and his entourage is bad enough, but the connection in the public eye between celebrities and disaster relief demeans and degrades the entire effort, say the front line workers of the earth.

According to some, the desire of current fashion companies to align themselves with charities may have more to do with covering many sins that resonates in people's consciousness. Critics say that many companies are just looking for a reason to jump on and linking to a good cause will make a great knack for sales.

To be honest, the fact that the fashion industry in general and specific companies in particular benefit from alliances with international charities is only predictable, but the key will drop to the perception of the public and workers involved.

If the company and the charity gains from such an effort; end. And 'when the aims of the charity are seen to be compromised and diluted the message that both partners should be looking long and hard why exactly are collaborating in this venture .......