While many of us find ourselves sitting at home and facing our screens, an ineluctable question looms over: to buy or not to buy? In these difficult times, it’s hard to reconcile consciousness and consumerism. We’ve been talking a lot about what it means to buy better; whether that means to buy sensibly, to buy locally, or to buy less.
Using their talent and creativity, some of my favorite New York-based brands answer the question by making our discretionary purchases charitable. In spite of New York being at the center of the COVID-19 outbreak, designers from across our community demonstrate how they are continuing their craft, while showing solidarity. From fine jewelry to digitized bouquets, a percentage of the proceeds from these purchases are being donated to various causes benefiting the city and those most impacted.
Our Flower Shop—Jonathan Cohen
New York based designer Jonathan Cohen launched his Our Flower Shop just in time for Mother’s Day. Customers can order hand drawn floral bouquets by Jonathan himself and even add personalized messaging. There are six pre-drawn arrangements for $20 and customized designs for $35. Thirty percent of sales go to one of four charities close to the brand: A Common Thread, Bowery Mission, Feed the Frontlines NYC, and No Kid Hungry.
I Heart New York—Lingua Franca
Rachelle Huscrka ‘s Lingua Franca reinterprets the iconic “I Love New York” slogan into a delightfully embroidered collection of cashmere knits and pajamas. Every week, the brand will donate 20% of proceeds to an industry that is suffering from COVID-19. Last week's donations went to ROAR.NY (Restaurants of NYC), while this week’s goes towards the National Domestic Workers Alliance, an organization working to slow the spread of the virus by providing emergency assistance for domestic workers that enables them to stay home and healthy.
$160-$400, linguafranca.nyc
The Flower Flash Box—Lewis Miller Design
While social distancing may prevent us from enjoying the Spring season outdoors, flower impressionario Lewis Miller, is sending us Spring wrapped up in a box. The Flower Flash box offers an assortment of fresh flowers directly from Miller’s growers in Holland, featuring Red Anemones and Parrot Prince Tulips, along more. The box also includes a link to a series of short instructional videos taught by Miller demonstrating the art of arranging and caring for your blossoms. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the United Way of New York’s COVID-19 Fund, which provides resources to community-based organizations that work with peoples that are disproportionately impacted by the virus.
$245-$385, lewismillerdesign.com
Jump One—The Only Jane
One year ago fashion magazine veteran and New York expat Jane Herman set the launch of her LA based brand, The Only Jane, for March 2020. Unbeknownst to her and the world, we would be facing a pandemic. Rather than delay the launch, the new mother is offering a utilitarian design for the sensibilities of life in quarantine. In partnership with the charity No Kid Hungry, thirty percent of the purchase price ($485) from her debut Japanese cotton, Jump One jumpsuit is being donated to help the organization offer millions of meals to children while schools are closed.
Diamond and Baroque Pearl Earring—Ana Khouri
Jewelry designer Ana Khouri has been persistent in her of aid COVID-19 relief efforts. She first announced that 100% proceeds from her one-of-a-kind blue sapphire Miran ring valued at $7,074 would be donated to Doctors Without Borders. Khouri then announced that 100% of the proceeds from the sale of classic Diamond Mirian earrings ($12,604) would go to the CFDA’s fundraising initiative, “ A Common Thread,” which pools together funds for those in the American fashion community who have been most impacted. In partnership with the creative director of Chufy, Sofia Sanchez de Betak, Khouri has now donated her diamond and baroque pearls Lily earrings to the A Little Something auction, featuring pieces donated from designers across the industry. All of the proceeds from this sale will go to Doctors Without Borders.
Current bid $1,700, 32auctions.com
