Fab Flash: Donatella Versace, Philanthropist

FabSugar — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:00:22 -0800

Besides being one of the biggest fashion designers in the world, Donatella Versace is also a philanthropist. After seeing the damage caused by the Sichuan earthquake, the designer decided to take matters into her own hands. In a recent visit to the city of Sanjiang, Versace saw the travesty that killed over 70,000 people back in May. “When you see things on television, you don’t know if it’s true,” said Versace. “I wanted to see it with my eyes and touch it myself.”

To see more from Donatella's visit, read more.

Upon arrival, Versace was treated to dancing and a fashion show held in the temporary schoolyard. The school, which is funded by Versace, provides education and trauma counseling for the children and their families. “It’s easy to write a check, but we wanted to do something where we involved our people, our resources, and ourselves in the first person,” said Versace chief executive, Di Risio. Versace, in collaboration with Jet Li's One Foundation, will be hosting a show and benefit auction in Beijing this week to raise money for the Sichuan earthquake relief fund. Versace and the One Foundation is hoping to raise 8 million yuan ($1.17 million) to open more school centers. Isn't is refreshing to see fashion people give back?

View 5 Photos ›

Source