Haiti

Accessories

Macy's to Launch the Heart of Haiti Home Décor Line

Come October, Macy's will launch an exclusive new home décor collection, The Heart of Haiti, to bring trade and aid to Haiti.

Come October, Macy's will launch an exclusive new home décor collection, The Heart of Haiti, to bring trade and aid to Haiti. Created by artisan survivors of the 2010 earthquake, the line will include traditional handmade Haitian décor items and will be available online and in 25 Macy's stores across the country.

To kickstart the initiative, Macy's has been funding more than 200 local craftspeople with money needed to buy materials to return full-time to work. Macy's has teamed up with existing local artisan groups such as a women's quilting cooperative in Cite Soleil and a blacksmith community in Croix des Bouquets, so the line, including quilts, metalwork, ceramics, wood-carvings, paintings, and more, will have a long history in the region.

Macy's already has an ongoing relationship with Fair Winds Trading, which creates sustainable businesses in impoverished areas. So the department store currently stocks some handmade Haitian products through FWT, including for example this Coral Candle Holder ($60) and Multicolor Vase ($40). You can expect to see this style of décor in The Heart of Haiti, but they are two separate initiatives.

Poll

CNN Asks Angelina Jolie About Adopting From Haiti — Natural Question or Really Off Topic?

We took a look back at one of Angelina Jolie's interviews from 2004 earlier today, but this week she opened up to CNN's Christiane Amanpour about her work in Haiti.

We took a look back at one of Angelina Jolie's interviews from 2004 earlier today, but this week she opened up to CNN's Christiane Amanpour about her work in Haiti. The actress traveled to the nation devastated by last month's earthquake to meet with local UN officials and visit with injured children, but her conversation with Christiane veered from charity work to the Jolie-Pitt family and whether they'd adopt from Haiti. Angelina politely answered the question before returning to a discussion of Haiti's needs, but tell us what you think — was CNN's asking about a possible adoption a natural question or was it really off topic?

Celebrity

Beyonce Sports Fashionable Tee, Helps Haiti

Beyonce, the official face of Fashion For Haiti, has a message for you: "Join me and the fashion industry by buying and wearing the Fashion for Haiti t-shirt.

Beyonce, the official face of Fashion For Haiti, has a message for you: "Join me and the fashion industry by buying and wearing the Fashion for Haiti t-shirt. Together we can send a message of hope by raising much needed funds for the people of Haiti." Starting Feb. 16, you too can sport the Fashion For Haiti Tee ($25), created by the CFDA to help the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund. Not only will you look in the know, but you'll be helping a great cause. A host of retailers like RachelRoy.com, J.Crew, and Nordstrom will carry the tee. Learn more about what the CFDA is doing to help those in need and be sure to check out Beyonce's PSA.

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie Keeps the Attention Focused on Helping Haiti

Angelina Jolie continued her tour of Haiti yesterday after meeting with local UN officials.

Angelina Jolie continued her tour of Haiti yesterday after meeting with local UN officials. She paid a visit to the SOS NGO Village for children, which provides housing for young people and their families displaced by last month's earthquake. The SOS organization is one very dear to Angelina, as she also supports their efforts in the Middle East. Angelina then toured a nearby hospital, where she brought a smile to the face of a boy who lost a limb in the disaster. Her two-day trip, which also included a stop in the Dominican Republic, is nearly complete, but her extensive efforts to help the people of Haiti aren't over yet.

taxes

Savvy Tip: Deduct Your Donation to Haiti on Your 2009 Taxes

If the news of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, and relief efforts like the star-studded telethon that raised $57 million last week have inspired you to contribute a donation you're in for a handy tax treat.

If the news of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, and relief efforts like the star-studded telethon that raised $57 million last week have inspired you to contribute a donation you're in for a handy tax treat. You can claim your donation as a tax deduction on your 2009 return. Consumer Reports advises:

To qualify, the donations must be monetary—not sold securities or used clothing, for instance — and must be to a qualifying domestic charity that is assisting Haiti. In a nod to the wave of text donations that has led to record giving, the bill allows taxpayers to use their mobile — phone bills to substantiate donations. The bill must show the name of the organization, the date of the contribution, and the amount.

Donations must be made after January 11 and before March 1, 2010 on your 2009 tax returns. You will also be able to deduct the donations from your 2010 return.

Shopping

Donate to Haiti Relief by Covering Your iPhone

People around the globe have been opening their pockets to help lend a hand to the crisis in Haiti in some pretty high tech ways — donating by sending text messages, recycling old cell phones, and buying apps to help make a difference.

People around the globe have been opening their pockets to help lend a hand to the crisis in Haiti in some pretty high tech ways — donating by sending text messages, recycling old cell phones, and buying apps to help make a difference. But if you're in need of a new iPhone case, and are still trying to figure out a way to donate, you're in luck. Uncommon is offering up seven new artist-designed iPhone cases for your purchasing pleasure in the name of charity. 100 percent of the proceeds will go to helping aid the survivors of the Haiti earthquakes, and you'll get a sweet case in exchange for your donation.

I'm in love with this Haiti Fractured Mosaic ($40) case by artist Scott Wilson. I've already donated some cash to the cause, but what's a little more for the sake of mankind?

celebrity chefs

Guess Who?

Can you guess which chef, posing here with George Clooney at his Hope For Haiti Now telethon, has raised over $1 million for Haiti's relief efforts?
Can you guess which chef, posing here with George Clooney at his Hope For Haiti Now telethon, has raised over $1 million for Haiti's relief efforts?

Guess Who?

Diane Von Furstenberg

The CFDA Helps Haiti

The CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) is always here to help.

The CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) is always here to help. And Haiti needs it now more than ever. Along with jewelry designer Alexis Bittar and various celebrities, the effort to help Haiti earthquake relief continues with a $25 "Fashion for Haiti" T-shirt. The CFDA and its member designers have organized this initiative to benefit the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund.

"The tragedy in Haiti has affected everyone and most of us individually have given money for relief,” said Diane von Furstenberg, president of the CFDA. “However, I think it is now important to send a message and create a channel for funding from fashion as an industry.”

Theory is manufacturing the Haiti t-shirt, and it will be available in both men’s and women’s styles. Look out for the tee at retailers Feb. 12 and online at cfda.com. Buy up, help away.