(NEW YORK) Designer Yoana Baraschi is marking her 10 years of success by giving back. Last night, the designer celebrated her new series of dresses, which are part of a collaboration with Conscious Commerce, an organization founded by actress Olivia Wilde and Barbara Burchfield. “When I met Olivia she had done another collaboration awhile back with another designer, but on a smaller scale,” said Baraschi. “I went to Anthropologie, an amazing partner of mine that I’ve worked with for nine years, to see if we could do something. Their buying power is so immense.”
Anthropologie will be selling the dresses starting this fall online and in stores. The proceeds from the dresses will go to benefit an organization dear to Baraschi’s heart called New Light in Calcutta, India, which was founded by Urmi Basu. Through her organization, Basi helps young girls avoid the sex trafficing industry by getting an education. Baraschi has made over 80 trips to India, where many of her signature embroideries are developed. “It’s about connecting the dots and having the money go where it’s needed,” said Baraschi.
As guests dined over a family-style feast in a private dining room at the Mondrian Soho, Wilde explained that the idea of Conscious Commerce, which helped facilitate this collaboration, came about when she met fellow friend and activist Burchfield through a philanthropic organization in Haiti. “Conscious Commerce is our attempt to allow consumers to have that connection with organizations that need help and to turn shopping into a way of giving,” said Wilde. “I’m a big fan of the idea that your dollar is your vote.”
We got a sneak peak at the dress, but for now it’s under wraps until fall. However, we’ll definitely be marking our calendars for when the frock drops in stores. Plus, we overheard an Anthropolgie staffer say they already have plans to buy more. A gift that keeps on giving!
PAIGE REDDINGER
