SICKA THAN AVERAGE

The late Lancashire-born historical fiction writer Amelia E. Barr, author of Remember The Alamo, once penned the phrase, "Kindness is always fashionable." This philosophy has been adopted by New York-based fashion designer Rachel Roy, who launched a charitable platform by the same name, creating limited-edition pieces to raise funds for such non-profit organizations as: charity: water, which brings clean drinking water to developing nations; Heart of Haiti, a program launched through Macy's that enlists artisans and designers from Haiti to create jewelry pieces using recycled materials, offering them a vehicle through which to sell their wares and earn fair living wages; and, most recently, OrphanAid Africa, which helps families stay together by, not only caring for children in need, but also providing assistance to their parents in the form of job training, food supplies, medical care, treatment for HIV-positive mothers, counseling, and other such efforts. One hundred percent of the net profits from the sale of the Rachel Roy "Kindness Is Always Fashionable" Ghana Clutch ($49 at RachelRoy.com and Bloomingdales.com), then, will benefit OrphanAid Africa.  

Measuring 23 1/2" in width, 14 1/2" in height, and 2" in depth, the Rachel Roy "Kindness Is Always Fashionable" Ghana Clutch is made of woven cotton/linen and features an abstract print on one side and the quote "Kindness is Always Fashionable" on the other side, with watercolor-esque, brush-like strokes of yellow and green behind these words. Printed in bold black letters, this phrase is positioned directly beneath a pattern composed of stitched rectangular shapes arranged in neat rows, with each section of green bars followed by a section of purple bars, pops of black color adding a tribal flair to the piece. The same exact geometric pattern, including the strip of trapezoid shapes in between the rows of rectangles, repeats on the opposite side. Since the linen fabric along the top of the bag is dyed with a mixture of red, yellow, and purple pigments recalling a desert sunset, the geometric shapes don't look as severe as they might otherwise.

A metal frame with a top clasp closure painted in black complete the simple design of the envelope-shaped clutch. Simple hinges on the sides of the clutch make the piece slightly roomier, and the interior features a slip pocket with the words "For my kids in Ghana" printed underneath its opening, right next to Roy's signature.

Help Roy offer her kids in Ghana more than a dedication — allow her to grant them the gift of hope.