Donna Karan’s Urban Zen
Apart of a small but intense team, I worked closely with the founder and had the privilege of learning from some of the best creative talent, policy makers, and influencers across fashion, health, entertainment and social change organizations. I collaborated and supported the design and marketing teams closely. We generated countless fundraising campaigns, unique collaborations, star studded events and retail initiatives in the mission to create, connect and collaborate to raise awareness and inspire change in the areas of well-being, preservation of cultures and empowering children. Partnerships included: FEED, NASA, TED, Water.Org, Clinton Global Initiative, Harlems Children Zone, V Day, David Lynch foundation and more.
The Urban Zen Center.
After two years working directly with the Foundation I was promoted to run the Urban Zen Center and execute all programming. The Urban Zen Center is a historic two level artists loft in NYC’s Greenwich Village and the gathering place for the Foundation’s programing and events. It is the commercial center of the business and is rentable for private events and hosts the annual holiday marketplace and Urban Zen Store, a luxury lifestyle brand with apparel, accessories, furniture and beauty.
Highlight clients include: LVMH, Ferrari, Bloomberg, Martha Stewart, QVC, Spotify, Food Network, Fast Company, HBO, Tribeca Film Festival, MSNBC, Huffington Post and Nike.
Fashion icon Donna Karan introduces the artwork of her husband, Stephan Weiss, who passed away in 2001 from lung cancer.
Hope Help Relief Haiti
The initiative launched in February 2010 with a Night of Humanity, a fundraising event at the Urban Zen Center and Relief Party at the Standard New York with a live performance by Mary J Blige, live auction hosted by Whoopi Goldberg and CNN anchor Soledad O’Brien as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies. The gala raised over a million dollars in less than 3 hours. The organizations that received funds from the event are Partners in Health, Habitat for Humanity, who partnered with the New York City Housing Authority to source volunteers and raise additional funds, and Yele Haiti. My role supported all creative services including live show graphics, guest list management, and live auction management. This also included project management and content management for the campaign microsite and brand collateral. Test experiences influenced my approach ensuring the attention, urgency and passion from the first fundraising evening did not lose it's spark or call to action.
After The Quake
The gala event lead to more programing and special projects which managed. They included two Gallery Exhibits, "The Truth, " featuring Photography Marc Baptise and artist Philip Dodard. A cocktail reception and live performance by Grammy Award-winning artist Wyclef Jean and special guests. The book launch for "After The Quake" by Dr. Paul Farmer, and other special events honoring Sean Penn, Benn Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Brett Ratner and Russell Simmons. The Haiti Artisan Project with the foundation and retail store was also developed which promotes economic development through job creation and vocational education, by raising awareness to Haitan Artists.
Role
Sales and Marketing
Catering & Venue Product Development
Special Projects Management
Luxury Retail Merchandising
Fine Art Management & Show Logistics
Live and Silent Auction Management
Landmark, TPA and F&B Permitting
Off Premise Photoshoot & Catering
Photo Research & Selection
Credits
Creative Agency: CoolGreySeven
Video: Justin DeRoche
Photography: Martyn Thompson