While it is still a store, albeit a very homey store - selling clothing, purses, leather goods and jewelry - the store’s main mission is to bring attention to the Urban Zen Foundation, with 10% of retail sales going towards the foundation. Donna Karan has said that, “The Foundation’s goal is to create a community dedicated to change – to improving patient care through integrative medicine, to strengthening children’s social, emotional and physical resilience, and to celebrating and promoting the inherent value in all cultures.”
Although it’s a small contribution, I picked up one of the hand-carved hearts from the Million Hearts For Haiti Campaign with the proceeds to aid the Hand/Eye Fund’s Artisan Grant Program.
The New York Urban Zen location recently had a benefit night where many celebrities (Hugh Jackman, Anna Wintour, Charlize Theron, Ralph Lauren, Susan Sarandon, Tory Burch, among them) came out to paint/decorate hearts to be auctioned off; furthering the causes of Urban Zen.
Sophisticated Designer: Donna Karan | In Memoriam: Elizabeth Taylor | Vogue: Tory Burch |