It is plain for all to see that ‘Africa’ has become a great selling point for many companies and when we came across this Always pad commercial - that continues to spread the false stereotypes of Africa, and unfortunately for us, continues to have a greater audience reach than even the most zealous African PR person , we decided to shed some light on designers who genuinely care and help Africa.

Always Pad Commercial

We aren’t exactly bothered when the announcer says “. . . for up to 1 week, every month Nia may have to miss school, which means she will fall so far behind, she will eventually dropout (which is a bit of a stretch). We are just wondering why she has to run through a herd of cows to school?!>. . .

Leaving Always to their false rumours. . .

Gavin Rajah

We are showing love to whom it’s due, starting with the darling Gavin Rajah - A South African designer, who shows in Paris and South African Fashion Week. He has made several appearances on Americas Next Top Model (As Himself, and Clothes), and worked on projects with Nike, just to name a few of his accomplishments. His most philanthropic accomplishment we believe was when UNICEF in August 2007 appointed him as a UNICEF Goodwill ambassador. In his work with UNICEF, Rajah champions child protection, focusing on the care and protection of orphans and other vulnerable children like those in child-headed households, and for their right to grow up in healthy, safe environments, free from the scourge of violence in South Africa. His first project was a one of a kind doll he made for an auction during an event hosted by singer and UNICEF France Goodwill Ambassador, Laeticia Hallyday and is expected to raise approximately €50,000 (or about $74,000) for UNICEF’s programmes.

To donate to, please get in contact with Justin Bradfield at, Jbradfield@unicef.org.

Second on our list is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, who also possesses a Master’s Degree in English Literature from New York University, Malcolm Harris.

(Pictured with FAB. Model, Julia Esinam Kwamya)

Mr. Harris, a Jamaican, embarked on his career by apprenticing at various fashion houses throughout Paris, France including the ateliers of Paco Rabanne, Yves Saint Laurent and Jean Paul Gaultier. He later found himself working as a talented and much sought after fashion stylist, collaborating on various projects with the industry’s celebrated photographers, models, hair/make-up artists and magazines. He is now the Creative Director of his Label Mal Sirrah, which is a play on his real name - Malcom Harris. In 2006, he launched ‘Designers for Darfur’ (DFD) - It represents hundreds of international designers and the wider fashion community collectively banding together to show their commitment and solidarity towards ending the atrocity of genocide currently taking place in Darfur. In 2007 they had an unprecedented fashion show where the designers made pieces that were mostly reminiscent of African colours, Green, Red or Yellow during fashion week in NY. To see the fashion show, Click HERE. In 2008, “Turning awareness into action” commenced to mark DFD’s 1YR anniversary. Attendees were allowed to participate in a video documentary ‘Prayers for Darfur’ and encouraged to sign DFD’s petition to the Chinese Consulate requesting they cease funding the Sudanese government which has allowed these atrocities to continue in Darfur.

Ways you can help DFD:

• Sign the Petition to the Chinese Consulte, Here –> http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/end-darfur-crisis.html (It’s free, and you are done in less than a minute)

• Order your “Designers for Darfur” Campaign T-Shirts HERE. $5 of every purchase goes to Oxfam International which is currently the primary supplier of clean water to the refugees of Darfur.

• You can also donate on DesignersForDarfur.Org.

Last but definitely not least on our ‘We ♥ (these) Designers. . .too’ series is the Beautiful Deola Sagoe.

Deola Sagoe is a self taught Fashion designer from Nigeria. She is a two time international award winner - ‘’African Designs” and MNET/Anglo Gold African designs 2000 (nomination by Andre Leon Tally, US Vogue editor-at-large ) and award winner of the Platinum Quality Award at the 10th International Star Awards in Paris (2006). Deola Sagoe is said to be described as who is ‘’best placed to interpret our (African) cultural diversity and artistry, our (African) earthiness and mystery, our (African) colors warmth and passion of the African woman in her simplicity and elegance,”.

She was appointed UN Designer for the Launch of UN World Food Programme & Health Pr’s new Global campaign: CatWALK THE WORLD-Fashion For Food. CatWALK THE WORLD - “Fashion for Food” is the latest move by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and Health PR to Fight Child Hunger across the world. It is a High Profile off-shoot of Walk the World which is WFP’s annual world wide walk for Stop Child Hunger across all time zones. In 2006 over 760,000 people in 118 countries and 420 locations walked. She has then since toured different African countries to raise awareness and funds for starving children.

To find out more about this campaign please visit CatWALK THE WORLD - Fashion For Food.

We hope that by bringing to your attention these designers who use their position in society to make a difference, we have inspired you to start your week by giving - you can start with the several links provided in this post!!

Cheers to a fabulous week!!