Michael Kors Launches Exclusive Partnership With WFP

NEW YORK, Jan. 30, 2013 /CNW/ - Michael Kors is proud to announce its exclusive, long-term partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme, dedicated to helping solve the international hunger crisis, a cause that is the cornerstone of Kors' philanthropic platform.

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The World Food Programme (WFP) has been providing much-needed food assistance to vulnerable people, particularly mothers and children, around the world for 50 years. The organization works in more than 70 countries and feeds 90 million people annually, making it the largest organization fighting hunger around the world. As an extension of the United Nations, it provides emergency and developmental assistance to eliminate hunger and food-insecurity in the world's poorest countries. In partnering with WFP, Michael Kors hopes to raise awareness and funds that will help to eradicate what WFP has deemed "the world's most solvable problem."

"I am so proud to be joining the World Food Programme in one of the greatest global fights of our time–the battle to end hunger," said Kors. "Over the years, I've had the great fortune of traveling the world and experiencing new cultures and people. And if there's one thing I've learned, it's that millions of people all over the world are struggling to feed themselves, and their families, every day. I want to lend my voice and my efforts to this international cause."

In support of this goal to eliminate hunger, Michael Kors has committed to raising millions of dollars over the next few years through a combination of awareness-focused campaigns, special events and limited-edition fundraising products. The major goal of the partnership is to shed light on the continuing plight of the world's hungry and to raise awareness throughout the fashion and global communities.

In January 2013, Michael Kors will release a public service announcement, set to air across the brand's social media channels. The PSA features notable figures from the worlds of fashion, film and music, each stating a statistic to raise hunger crisis awareness throughout the fashion and global communities. In March, the company will launch two unisex watch styles for its "WATCH HUNGER STOP" campaign. For each watch sold, 100 children will be fed via the World Food Programme. There will also be a text-to-donate initiative to further fundraising efforts.

"We look forward to working with Michael Kors. Together, we will generate more attention as well as much needed resources in support of WFP's efforts to end world hunger," said WFP Executive Director Ertharin Cousin. "Our vision of the future is a world where every person has access to the quality and quantity of food required to not only lead a healthy life, but to also reach his or her full human potential."

The new partnership with WFP is a significant milestone in Kors' mission to eradicate hunger on both a local and global scale. In October 2012, Mr. Kors made a $5 million donation to God's Love We Deliver, the New York-based non-profit organization that cooks and delivers individually tailored meals daily to people living with severe illnesses throughout New York City, Newark and Hudson County. This gift enabled the God's Love We Deliver team to continue its life-affirming work and conduct a major renovation of its facility in SoHo, which will be renamed "The Michael Kors Building." Following his contribution, Kors was honored with the 2012 Golden Heart Award for Lifetime Achievement at the Golden Heart Awards Dinner.

For more information on Kors' philanthropic efforts, "Kors Cares," visit www.destinationkors.com.

#WatchHungerStop

About Michael Kors
Michael Kors is a world-renowned, award-winning designer of luxury accessories and ready-to-wear. His namesake company, established in 1981, currently produces a range of products through his Michael Kors, KORS Michael Kors and MICHAEL Michael Kors labels, including accessories, footwear, watches, jewelry, men's and women's ready-to-wear, and a full line of fragrance products. Michael Kors stores are operated, either directly or through licensing partners, in some of the most prestigious cities in the world, including New York, Beverly Hills, Chicago, London, Milan, Paris, Munich, Istanbul, Dubai, Seoul, Tokyo and Hong Kong.

SOURCE: Michael Kors

Mary Fontamillas, VP, Public Relations, MICHAEL KORS, [phone], [email protected]

http://www.destinationkors.com