When nearly a dozen of the most renowned, high-profile, in-demand models in the industry — among them Christy Turlington, Jourdan Dunn, and Coco Rocha, Hilary Rhoda, and Karlie Kloss — appeared en masse at the Dream Hotel for a Modelinia press conference yesterday, it wasn't to announce the formation of a High Fashion Justice League or Supermodel Avengers clique. Instead, the supermodels showed their support for Somalia with the launch of the new Modelinia BFF bracelets (pictured above), designed by nOir jewelry.
Masterminded by trail-blazing supermodel, activist, designer, and cosmetics entrepreneur Iman, these woven bracelets constitute more than a fashion statement: they're a symbol of unity in the fight to end hunger in Somalia.
Earlier this week, the United Nations revealed even more harrowing figured regarding the scale of the famine plaguing Somalia, warning that as many as 750,000 people could die of malnourishment within the next four months if aid efforts aren't ramped up. The situation, then, is truly dire and it's up to all of us to do our part to save all those affected by the drought and famine gripping East Africa.
In an effort to help her native land, Iman approached Modelinia —the media platform that brings together the experiences, thoughts, and happenings of the supermodel community — about creating a bracelet that would heighten awareness about the famine in Somalia and, more importantly, raise funds to help all the families in need.
With the help of Modelinia, Iman enlisted some of the most talented supermodels from all over the globe and asked for their support, with Christy Turlington, Doutzen Kroes, Karlie Kloss, Hilary Rhoda, Lily Aldridge, Coco Rocha, Jordan Dunn, Ataui Deng, Oluchi Onweagba, and Jeisa Chiminazzo enthusiastically jumping on board.
They then tapped New York-based designer Leeora Catalan, the founder of nOir Jewelry, to create these limited-edition bracelets.
The Modelinia BFF bracelets will come in different color combinations, each representing the hues in the flag of one of the participating models' native countries (for example, Nigeria for Oluchi Onweagba, Canada for Coco Rocha, Brazil for Jeisa Chiminazzo,Sudan for Ataui Deng, and so forth). Each toggle bracelet will also include a gold-toned "M" charm alluding to Modelinia and a medallion-like, flag-inspired charm. The piece above, for example, incorporates the baby blue and white colors of the Somalian flag, while the round charm encircled in gold features a white star against a blue backdrop, capturing the most prominent portion of the country's flag.
Best of all, 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the Modelinia BFF Somalia Bracelets will be donated to Save The Children, a non-profit organization that is distributing water and food supplies within East Africa, as well as providing treatment for malnourished, at-risk children.
The Modelinia Beautiful Friends Forever bracelets are available now on Noirjewelry.com and are priced at $35. Starting September 12th, you'll also be able to buy the bracelets from Endless.com and the Curve Boutiques in NY and LA.
Buy one for yourself to rep your homeland or give props to your favorite supermodel, gift one to your family members and your closest confidantes, and do your part to help Somalia — one beautiful friend at a time.
