Artists, designers, entertainers and philanthropists are joining forces for the second annual green auction, which last year raised over $2 million for environmental groups. Christie’s, which is again hosting the Bid to Save the Earth sale of artwork, celebrity dates, luxury travel and high fashion, will conduct the auction in New York on March 29, with proceeds earmarked for four leading non-profit organizations.
Actress Salma Hayek, Vogue editor Anna Wintour and Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter, along with cultural, business and environmental leaders, are expected to take part in the event, which Christie’s is due to announce on Wednesday.
The 2011 Green Auction marks the inaugural partnership with Runway to Green (RTG). The unprecedented collaboration between these two organizations brings together top art collectors, philanthropists, financiers, and environmentalists with the fashion community, utilizing their combined influence to raise funds and awareness for the preservation and sustainability of our planet. “This collaboration constitutes one of the most important commitments made on behalf of the fashion industry to learn and address its impact on the environment,” said Runway to Green Chairman Lorenzo Roccia. “It uses the power and reach of the industry to deliver a global message about the relevance and necessity to be educated on our individual role and responsibility in protecting the environment.”
Runway to Green will host a fashion show on the night of the live auction and make designer collection selections available online through – -Net-a-Porter– who will be the exclusive online retailer of the collection for the launch. Proceeds from the sale of the collection will also be divided among the beneficiary organizations.
Runway to Green’s involvement in this initiative links the fashion industry to the NRDC’s Clean by Design program recently launched to promote improvement in the environmental impact of the apparel sector. The NRDC will work closely with each of the designers in the program to provide an education on the negative effects of mainstream production and on ways to be more green and efficient.
In order to make ‘BID’ as green-inclusive as possible, the online auction will carry the majority of celebrity and once-in-a lifetime experiences, so that anyone — anywhere — in the world has a chance to BID by logging on and pitching in. The Bid to Save the Earth ACTIONEER Award contest invites the general public to join this movement by submitting their stories and personal initiatives, which demonstrate how they are engaging their communities, and making a positive impact on the environment. The emphasis will be on grassroots actions of conservation, which are already set in place, have achieved measurable results, and are ongoing projects. Entries will be submitted via www.abidtosavetheearth.org and will be accepted between February 1, 2011 and March 1, 2011.
The March 29 event will be hosted by: François-Henri Pinault and Salma Hayek, David and Susan Rockefeller and Graydon and Anna Carter, in association with Vogue magazine. The evening will also debut the Runway to Green collection with a fashion show co-styled by Vogue’s Fashion Director, Tonne Goodman and Vogue’s Contributing Editor, Tabitha Simmons.
“Susan and I are delighted to be co-chairs again this year for “Bid To Save The Earth'” said David Rockefeller, Jr. “We all must do our part to protect the natural world for our children’s children. Everyone can support the Green Auction through the Internet – a truly democratic way to stand up for Mother Earth. ”
In addition to bidding in the online auction, the public is invited to make a symbolic bid for the environment by texting “gogreen” to 20222 to donate $10. Funds from text “gogreen” will go towards Bid to Save the Earth beneficiaries.
The inaugural Green Auction held on Earth Day in 2010 raised $2.4 million and marked the first time that these four environmental charities have come together around their collective missions to protect our planet. On March 29, 2011 the world’s top international collectors, philanthropists, celebrities, and designers will convene at New York City’s Rockefeller Center for a star-studded evening of entertainment, live fantasy Green Auction by Chrisite’s, and Runway to Green’s fashion show debuting Fall 2011 ready-to-wear ensembles and accessories from 20 of the worlds leading designers.