Conversations

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Converse. While fashions trends come and go, one thing remains constant, the ever-present street cred of the Converse Chuck Taylor and the One Star brand.

From the signature African mudcloth shoe to the design-your-own (RED) sneaker, Converse has allowed our (RED) community members to express themselves in their own way.

So when Converse presented the overwhelming and mind-blowingly cool idea of commissioning 100 of the world's most creative minds to each design a special sneaker, I thought, WOW—it will never happen. Last night I proceeded to eat crow, so to speak.

On display at M+B Gallery in West Hollywood were the first 50 original designs for the Converse 1HUND(RED) program, a collection of 100 sneakers from 100 artists, musicians and designers. Each shoe expresses the respective artist's unique commentary on HIV/AIDS and how it affects everyone. Converse provided a blank canvas and in return they got some of the coolest shoes ever produced. The majority of the designs will be on sale at boutique shoe stores around the country over the course of 2008, so check out your local retailer. You can always go to www.converse.com/#100Artists to check on new releases.

Those in the crowd who didn’t know the (RED) story or what (RED) does really took to the idea because we were speaking their language: creativity!

photos by: rich kim / www.blinkofaniproductions.com

People milled about, enjoying the beautiful weather and deciding on which sneaker was their personal favorite. The Converse team explained the origins of certain shoes to onlookers and (RED) co-founder/chairman Bobby Shriver chatted with those who wanted to know more about how (RED) works. Also in attendance was one of the 1(HUNDRED) artists, Darren Romanelli aka DRx. The LA-based fashion designer/artist presented his adhesive bandage concept shoe illustrating the idea of protection and "symbolizing hope for a cure."

Paul Sevigny set-up some "shoe-gazing" music during the night and Lupe Fiasco gave the intimate crowd a great MC set. All in all, a perfect way to kick off the campaign.

Now go design your own pair!

--Brad

All You Need Is Love: A Special (RED) Art Auction

For the (RED) stakeholders in Ghana, Rwanda and Swaziland who receive lifesaving antiretroviral treatment when you make (PRODUCT) RED purchases, Valentine’s Day brought a special gift.

Inspired by the (RED) consumers and partners who’ve already helped generate $60 million for the Global Fund, Damien Hirst persuaded more than 60 of his friends to create or give pieces of their artwork to the (RED) Art Auction, which raised $42.58 million last night. To date (RED) contributions to the the Global Fund now top $100 million.

Bono opened the auction with an a capella rendition of “All You Need Is Love” and later explained to the crowd that these aren't charity pieces given from an artist's back closet – they were specially created to excite and inspire you. "We only want you to buy what you love because love is what (RED) is about," he said. The span of talent was enthralling – from Jasper Johns to Jeff Koons, Banksy to Cecily Brown, Takashi Murakami to Andreas Gursky, and of course, Damien Hirst, who contributed seven works, one of which is titled “All You Need Is Love.”

What will this $100 million mean for (RED) stakeholders? 100% of it will support Global Fund-financed programs, to help eliminate AIDS in Africa. I had the chance to see firsthand the impact of (RED) money when I visited Swaziland with Christy Turlington, to help link the stories between (RED) shoppers and (RED) stakeholders, which Christy shares here:



In Swaziland, Global Fund-financed programs have already provided antiretroviral therapy to more 22,400 people living with HIV/AIDS. When we see how (RED) money improves the lives of people affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa, we also see the importance of keeping (RED) sustainable – whether it’s through our product partners who’ve contributed $60 million due to your purchases, or through inspired moments like the (RED) Auction tonight.

It was a Happy Valentine’s Day, indeed – and a great reminder that we need to keep (RED) growing and connecting with our (RED) stakeholders in Africa.

Xo
Tamsin

A note from Rwanda's Minister of State Dr. Innocent

We received a note from Rwanda's Dr. Innocent Nyaruhirira, Minister of State in charge of HIV/AIDS and other epidemics in the Ministry of Health, with whom I spent some time while in Kigali. It's a good reminder that you need to see transformation first-hand sometimes to believe it's possible. Rwanda has been through much, but my trip in December 2007 showed a country that's showing us how progress happens in ways large and small. I'll just share a few of his comments thanking (RED) consumers for the impact they are helping to make possible.

XO Tamsin

"From the perspective of a beneficiary, the (RED) initiative has more than anything else, instilled confidence and consolidated credibility to the Global Fund, by strengthening the highly coveted private-public partnership. The (RED) initiative also represents the incredible moral value of a direct contribution from citizen to citizen, a value that is in the current globalization era."

Share the love

Roz from our UK team just sent in an update… take a look below to see how UK residents can turn their Valentine's Day (RED)! --bn

We wanted to give more than just gifts this Valentine’s Day, so it’s with great delight that the (RED) UK team bring you news of the Love (RED) campaign! Lovered.co.uk is our first ever UK (RED) site, live throughout February and built to show off our gift ideas, which help fight AIDS in Africa at the same time.

We’re proud to have the support of nine luxury brands for this campaign and the ongoing passion and creativity of our global partner brands – which is why we hope they will help you plan your best ever Valentine’s Day.

We’ve not been able to resist some sneak previews and headed to the Comedy Theatre last Tuesday night for the opening evening of Harold Pinter’s double bill of plays "The Lover" and "The Collection." It is too good to miss and if you book with (RED), you can save up to £25, with £1 from the sale of every ticket going to the Global Fund. There are too many offers to list here, but we’ve included a few pictures below.

Visit Lovered.co.uk for all the details.

Roz x

Dell brings AIDS in Africa to the Super Bowl

Who'd have ever thought that AIDS in Africa would come up as a topic during the Super Bowl?

It just happened today when Dell premiered a commercial to promote their new (PRODUCT) RED PCs. This ad shows that ordinary people can help eliminate AIDS in Africa, simply by choosing Dell (PRODUCT) RED while shopping for computers that they're already going to buy... and other ordinary people recognize and celebrate this choice.

If you missed this amazing moment on TV, hit play below to see the Dell (PRODUCT) RED spot.

DELL.COM/JOINRED

This one is for Herb

Last night in New York City, (RED) was honored by amfAR. Trey Laird introduced Bobby Shriver, who accepted on behalf of our (RED) shareholders in Africa, (RED) consumers around the world and (RED) partners from the private sector.

Both Trey and Bobby paid homage to the late Herb Ritts, their mutual friend and a long-time supporter of amfAR since its founding in 1985. Bobby said that Herb would be amazed – even get a kick from -- seeing us all there, knowing that the medicine which could have saved his life not only exists now thanks in part to amfAR-funded research but that the price has dropped low enough to make (RED) and its impact on tens of thousands in Africa a reality.

Bobby credited all those who helped make his and Bono's idea a reality, many of whom were sitting with us -- Natasha Bedingfield, Andy and Rob from The Fader, Trey, Wanda and the crew from Emporio Armani, Andre Harrell, Veronica Webb, Ed Burns and Christy Turlington. He noted that he was wearing the new Emporio Armani (PRODUCT) RED tuxedo and that I was modeling Mr. Armani's little (RED) dress.

The night was a good reminder of how far we have come and how much more there is to do. And it brought home the ever-true insight that even a few people pulling in the same direction can move mountains.

xo Tamsin

Tamsin with Andre Harrell and Rear Admiral Susan Blumenthal, former U.S. Assistant Attorney General and current President of the Global Health Institute

Tamsin, Bobby, (RED) friends Christy Turlington and Ed Burns

See more photos on the (RED) Flickr page.