Partner since 2005

Total Donated: Over $10 million

2010 marked the sixth anniversary of the global Gucci/UNICEF partnership, which began in 2005. Each year, Gucci has intensified the company’s commitment to UNICEF and to saving and improving children’s lives by expanding the annual campaign and introducing significant new initiatives to support the partnership.

In the six-year period from 2005 to 2010, Gucci has committed over $9 million to UNICEF, making Gucci the largest corporate donor to UNICEF’s “Schools for Africa” initiative. Watch the video celebrating the anniversary of the partnership.

Read more about Gucci's commitment to the "Schools for Africa" initiative

New in 2010:
Gucci Pledge to UNICEF in Honor of the New Gucci Children's Collection

In 2010, Gucci announced a USD $1 million donation to support UNICEF in honor of six years of partnership with UNICEF and the launch of Gucci’s new children’s collection.  The donation will benefit "Schools for Africa," a UNICEF initiative founded in 2004 in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Hamburg Society, which aims to increase access to quality basic education for millions of children in Africa.

U-Play Timepiece

In late 2010, Gucci Timepieces announced a donation of USD $70,000 in honor of a new special model of the U-Play watch, designed by Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini.  The donation will benefit UNICEF’s “Schools for Africa” initiative. 

2007-2011
Gucci for UNICEF

© Gucci 

In 2007, Frida Giannini created a special product to extend the company's commitment to UNICEF throughout the year.  The first exclusive "Gucci for UNICEF" bag was launched in November 2007 and was dedicated to UNICEF for one full year to increase its fundraising potential. 

Gucci has continued this tradition launched the third annual "Gucci for UNICEF" campaign in April 2010 with the special edition Sukey bag, designed by Giannini.  The grey “La Pelle Guccissima” leather Sukey bag will be sold in Gucci stores in over 20 countries worldwide and at gucci.com from April 15, 2010 until February 28, 2011. Gucci will donate 25% of the retail price from all sales of the "Gucci for UNICEF" bag to support UNICEF's "Schools for Africa" initiative in Malawi and Mozambique, where nearly one million children have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS.

2005-2009
The Gucci Campaign to Benefit UNICEF

© Gucci

Gucci JOY BAG 

From 2005 and 2009, Frida Giannini designed an annual holiday collection of exclusive accessories, dedicated to the Gucci Campaign to Benefit UNICEF.  Gucci stores worldwide donated a percentage of sales during the holiday season from this special group of products to support UNICEF.

Over the first five years of the campaign Gucci intensified the commitment to UNICEF each year through creative marketing and communications activities designed to create awareness and greater fundraising potential for the partnership.  For the 2008 initiative, Gucci presented the white TATTOO HEART COLLECTION, together with a landmark global advertising campaign featuring award-winning musical artist Rihanna.

In 2009, to honor the 5th anniversary of the campaign, Giannini commissioned acclaimed author and illustrator Michael Roberts to create a magical new children’s book, Snowman in Africa, to benefit UNICEF. Taking inspiration from Roberts’ whimsical illustrations, Giannini also designed exclusive Gucci accessories as well as a Gucci Gift Card for UNICEF featuring Roberts’ distinctive designs.

Photo Essay

View a UNICEF photography essay in South Africa that was funded by Gucci in 2010.

A Night to benefit Malawi and UNICEF

On February 6, 2008, Gucci presented a major fundraising event in New York. Co-chaired by Frida Giannini, the evening was dedicated to raising funds and awareness for orphans and children made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.  Through ticket sales and a live auction, the event successfully raised a total of approximately USD $2.7 million to benefit UNICEF’s "Schools for Africa" education programs in six countries: Malawi, Mozambique, Angola, Rwanda, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Field visit to Malawi

In November 2009, Frida Giannini traveled with UNICEF to Malawi to see first-hand how Gucci's support to UNICEF is making a difference in the lives of thousands of children in sub-Saharan Africa. Giannini visited schools, a care center for orphans, and a hospital and reaffirmed Gucci's on-going commitment to aiding these essential UNICEF programs.

Results

Gucci has consistently supported education, healthcare, protection and clean water programs for orphans and children affected by HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. Since the partnership began, Gucci has committed over $9 million to UNICEF, resulting in Gucci’s current status as the largest corporate donor to UNICEF's "Schools for Africa" initiative. 

"Schools for Africa" is a joint campaign established in 2004 by UNICEF, the Nelson Mandela Foundation, and the Hamburg Society.  The initiative aims to increase access to quality basic schooling for all, with a special emphasis on helping the most disadvantaged—including children orphaned by HIV/AIDS and children living in extreme poverty.

For more info, please visit http://www.gucci.com/us/worldofgucci/mosaic/act_now/unicef