Adorn YOUR BODY

For the past two years Donna Karan has spent a lot of time in Haiti. Since its devastating earthquake in 2010 the designer and philanthropist through her Urban Zen Foundation, has visited the island and helped local artisans by purchasing their collections (tobacco leaves reimagined; beads and jewelry made from recycled products), assisted hospitals (her Urban Zen Integrative Therapists now work in some of its hospitals) and schools and has been more than inspired by what she has found and experienced. Today, Karan's Urben Zen stores features works made by Haiti's local artisans and 100% of the proceeds go toward helping Haitians to help themselves.

"For me, Haiti is where all the initiatives I care so passionately about come together: preserving culture, securing the health and well-being for people and the education of the children who represent their tomorrow," writes Karan on her site. "The journey of my two worlds – design and philanthropy – picks up in Haiti. Haiti speaks to my heart. It embraces everything we seek to accomplish at Urban Zen and the vision for Haiti is simple: help Haiti help itself by utilizing and organizing its artisans, natural resources and production potential to create business models that can be properly marketed and distributed throughout the US and Europe." Karan's spring 2012 collection filled with black and white graphics inspired by Haitian artist Phillippe Dodard who rebuilt the metal industry post earthquake. Her campaign, which will appear in fashion and lifestyle magazines in March, features Adriana Lima and was shot in Jacmel township of Haiti. A 16-page brochure will also be available for consumers to see more from the photo shoot and read more about the collaboration with Haiti's local artisans.