Events

04/27/2009

Naked Heart --Saga Furs—Louis Vuitton charity event

In conjunction with the opening of the Louis Vuitton flagship store in the Siberian city of Ekatarinburg, 21 Saga® Bluefox bunnies specially designed by Saga Furs were sold with all proceeds to go to the Naked Heart Foundation.

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Naked Heart --Saga Furs—Louis Vuitton charity event

In conjunction with the opening of the Louis Vuitton flagship store in the Siberian city of Ekatarinburg, 21 Saga® Bluefox bunnies specially designed by Saga Furs were sold with all proceeds to go to the Naked Heart Foundation.
When the final hammer went down,  the bunnies with the nickname Bunichka had raised around $35,000 that will give youngsters a place to play, thanks to Natalia Vodianova’s Naked Heart Foundation. She and her husband Justin Portman gathered with celebrities, along with a flock of media representatives, for the gala opening of the Louis Vuitton store on April 23.
Representatives from Finnish Fur Sales and Saga Furs were happy to see the intense interest--from children and adults alike--in buying the cuddly bunnies, created especially for the day. “It’s an honour to be part of a noble cause, one that helps children. The money will be used by Naked Heart for building open air playgrounds for youngsters,” says Mark Townsend, head of marketing at Saga Furs, speaking from the event. “Activities like these are an integral part of our expanding corporate social responsibility policy.
Naked Heart is the charitable organization founded by Russian supermodel turned philanthropist Natalia Vodianova. She is known as the face of Calvin Klein, Guerlain, Louis Vuitton and more. Naked Heart has built 23 play parks and playgrounds of various sizes across Russia. It typically costs $21,000-430,000 to build a site. Since its founding a few years ago, Naked Heart has won great international support. “I love my country and I always wanted to do something back for it as I became successful with my job. For me it’s very important to let the children play and dream and have fun together in Russia as they can do everywhere,” Vodianova says.
The setting of the gala event was Ekatarinburg, a lovely city of 1.5 million inhabitants in the eastern Urals, at the edge of Siberia. “Ekatarinburg is an exciting and fascinating city which encapsulates the cultural and historical heritage of a complex society undergoing important and modern transformations. says Jean-Marc Gallot, president Louis Vuitton Europe.
The city is a true centre of culture and creation with popular theatre companies, its numerous museums and art galleries. A thriving regional centre, Ekatarinburg has become an affluent city with a big consumer market for fur, where events like the Naked Heart—Saga Furs—Louis Vuitton gathering make a big hit.
“We’re grateful we can be involved in such a gala occasion with Louis Vuitton and Naked Heart,” says Natasha Turovnikova, Saga Furs representative in Russia. “And of course, it helps solidify our excellent relationship with the world’s premiere luxury brand, Louis Vuitton. This has been a great success.

For information about Naked Heart and donations: http://www.nakedheart.org/