Jay-Z made holiday gift-giving a mighty easy task last season. The hip-hop mogul collaborated with varied elite fashion houses, including Balencienga, Lanvin, and Balmain, to create a limited multi-clothing label line A New York Holiday, according to Billboard. The collection encompassed of all types of apparel such as simple cotton shirts costing $70, and limited edition Hublot watches.
However, Jay-Z’s brand was not fashioned on a whim. Remaining true to the spirit of giving, the 99 problems rapper created the retail line to help underprivileged children go to college in the United States, and succeeded in raising over $1 million for his charity, named the Shawn Carter Foundation. Gwyneth Paltrow reportedly spent $100,000 on the line, “The proceeds are going to charity, so this is a win-win for Gwyneth. She gets to support a good friend with a good cause-and to give wonderful gifts,” said a source at Bang Showbiz.
Joining hands with Jay-Z, who donated all profits to the foundation, was Barney’s, which stocked his line. The luxury retail store also pledged 10 percent of its entire store profits for the day the line was launced, for the same cause.
However, like any other project, the Shawn Carter Foundation is not without its own share of controversy. Many people called for Jay to back out of the deal, after two African-American customers were reportedly racially profiled and detained, despite having legitimately purchased goods. However, unwilling to back out of the challenge, the rapper blogged saying he wouldn’t prematurely pull out of the collaboration until he knew all the facts. “I am against discrimination of any kind, but if I make snap judgments, no matter who it’s towards, aren’t I committing the same sin as someone who profiles?” he said.
Despite the misplaced faith from the public, the rapper’s commitment to provide education is commendable. Hopefully, Jay Z will continue to spread cheer for many more years!
Published in The Express Tribune, January 7th, 2014.
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