Cancer Charity's In Fashion

Upscale retailer Saks Fifth Avenue has joined with the Council of Fashion Designers of America to kick off their Fashion Targets Breast Cancer event.

Brazilian modeling sensation Gisele Bundchen is the worldwide face of the charitable initiative, which benefits breast cancer charities across the country.

Gisele sports a Swarovski crystal tattoo in the shape of the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer target logo on the cover of Saks' September store book. The body art is just one of several specially created items for the store's nationwide shopping weekend, September 21-24. Other specialty items include a tie by Ralph Lauren, handbags by Judith Leiber, Rafe and Kate Spade and a belt by Noir.

Handbag designer Kate Spade is a campaign contributor.

Last year's event raised over $2 million and this year, the weekend goal is over $3 million.

Saks has re-created the popular Fashion Targets Breast Cancer T-shirt, which has been underwritten by Donna Karan Hosiery, enabling the entire $25 retail price to go directly to the fund.

Christina Johnson, President and CEO of Saks Fifth Avenue explains, "The majority of Saks Fifth Avenue's customers, associates, and executives are women, and I think it is particularly fitting that we are engaged in fighting a disease that poses such an enormous threat to women's health."

In conjunction with the event, a collection of photographs titled Portraits of Hope is being exhibited in Saks' windows nationwide September 14-28. Photographer Sandi Fellman captured breast cancer survivors from across the United States, showing that breast cancer can afflict anyone, anywhere.

By Zoy Avgerinos