ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip

May 15th 2009

Bono Gets More Green: LVMH to Buy Minority Stake in Edun

Filed under: fashion — Michael Andre d'Estries @ 10:06 am

You know what Bono and his wife Ali Hewson need? More money!

Apparently, the two will be getting just that after LVMH (LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA) announced yesterday an almost-50 percent minority stake in Edun — the eco-friendly and ethical fashion line started by the pair. “With LVMH, we can step up (Edun’s) development, giving greater stability to our suppliers and the local communities they support,” Bono said in LVMH’s statement.

And we agree. Besides padding the singer’s pockets with a bit more cash, this infusion will also help Edun expand it’s eco-friendly brand and do more to help third world countries. “We are proud to contribute to the operational development of Edun and to the improvement of living standards of local communities,” said LVMH Chief Executive Bernard Arnault.

More details on the deal available here.

via TheCut

December 15th 2008

Bono Awarded Nobel Man of Peace Prize

Filed under: campaigns, events, honors — Michael Parrish DuDell @ 10:24 am

Bono is making headlines this week after being awarded the annual Nobel Man of Peace prize for his efforts to combat poverty, debt and disease in Africa.

The ceremony was held in Paris and honored the U2 frontman for his global campaign to persuade rich nations to lend assistance to the struggling continent.

Bono told the crowd, which included fellow Nobel laureates, “This is a very big award for me, because let’s be honest this is as close as I am going to get - as close as a rock star is ever going to get to the Nobel Peace Prize. I am an over-awarded, over-rewarded rock star. You are the people who do the real work. So I am very, very pleased to be in such esteemed company.”

From all of us here at the Razz a big congrats to Bono for all his efforts! Keep up the great work!

December 1st 2008

Music Stars Help Fight AIDS in Africa With New Digital Magazine (RED)WIRE

Filed under: campaigns, green and famous, magazines, music — Michael Parrish DuDell @ 10:39 am

Some of the biggest names in music are donating their names and talent to support (RED)WIRE – a new digital magazine aimed at helping fight the spread of AIDS in Africa.

If that RED names sounds a little familiar, it’s because (RED)WIRE is an offshoot of the activist organization RED founded by U2 frontman Bono last year. Not only will the magazine be digital (thus SUPER green), but all proceeds will benefit HIV-infected people in Africa.

For only 5 dollars a year you can subscribe to (RED)WIRE and receive a new issue every Wednesday, featuring an exclusive song from a major musician, a song from a new performer and a multimedia presentation about how the organization is helping Africans in need. SIGN ME UP!

Oh and you better believe the music is gonna rock, because about a bazillion stars are getting involved like: U2, Coldplay, the Dixie Chicks, John Legend, REM, Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, the Police, Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, Elton John and Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys.

To find out more and get YOUR subscription, visit RedWire.com!

November 10th 2008

Will Bono, Clooney and Other Celebs Face Charity Controversy?

Filed under: donations — sara @ 1:57 pm

The legitimacy of a charity seems to be on everyone’s mind these days. I’ve been amazed at the responses to the recent post on a Scientology benefit for charity. That conversation may not have been that surprising (I’m not Scientology’s OMG #1 Fan myself!), but when I heard that charities run by Bono — one of my favorite celebs ever– George Clooney, and other famous people might not be as legit as they claim, I was pretty shocked.

Apparently, Bono’s DATA Foundation (now part of One), which works to eliminate poverty and AIDS in Africa, raised $31 million in 2006–but only used $6 million of that for charity. The rest went to transportation, security, and U2 tour tickets. Clooney’s Not on Our Watch (also founded by Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle and others), which fights genocide, has some shady dealings with an offshore gambling company. Wyclef Jean, Osi Umenyiora, Tyra Banks, Larry King, Gary Payton, Petra Nemcova, Magic Johnson and Dyan Cannon also seem to have skeletons in their charities’ closets; read more about them here.

So what do you think? Do a few gray areas make a charity all bad? Do any of these charities sound completely illegitimate to you, or do you think they still have redeeming qualities?

September 25th 2008

The Green Quote: Bono Rails Against $700 Billion For Wall Street, But No Billions For Fighting Disease, Hunger

Filed under: campaigns — Michael Andre d'Estries @ 3:55 pm

“It is extraordinary to me that you can find $700 billion to save Wall Street and the entire G8 can’t find $25 billion to save 25,000 children who die every day of preventable treatable disease and hunger. That’s mad, that is mad.”

“Bankruptcy is a serious business and we all know people who have lost their jobs. But this is moral bankruptcy.”

– Lead singer of U2 Bono speaking today during day two of the Clinton Global Initiative.

September 12th 2008

Bono Joins Fellow Celebs To Design Garbage Can For Charity

Filed under: campaigns, products — Michael Parrish DuDell @ 12:26 pm

Bono says, “Clean that mess up…with MY new trash can.” Adding to his already long environmental resume, including starting an eco chic clothing line, Bono has joined a myriad of celebrities who are working with The Conran Shop to design garbage cans for charity.

Besides Bono, celebrities like Michael Stipe, Mario Batali, Helena Christensen and Mena Suvari have all lent their creativity to raise money for the Food Bank For New York City.

As the city’s major hunger-relief organization, the Food Bank For New York City works hard to end food poverty and increase access to affordable, nutritious food for low-income New Yorkers throughout the five boroughs. The Food Bank’s initiatives focus on direct services, food sourcing and distribution, education and nutrition, financial empowerment, disaster relief and policy and research.

The cans be available for public viewing at The Conran Shop in New York (407 East 59th Street) from September 4, before being auctioned off on Thursday, September 18, at the Winston Wächter Fine Art Gallery.

To find out how you can get a fancy pants trash can, or if you just want to check out the cool designs, visit ConranUSA.com!

thanks: looktothestars.org

September 4th 2008

Julia Roberts Designs Shirt For Giorgio Armani’s (RED) Label

Filed under: fashion, products — Michael Parrish DuDell @ 2:32 pm

Actress, mother, greeniac…designer? Yes, mam! Julia Roberts has signed up to help raise money for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria by designing a T-shirt for Giorgio Armani’s (RED) label.

The Global Fund was started by Bono and Bobby Shriver in 2006 and has already received over $110 million from RED-brand apparel and events.

Julia’s design simply has the words, “revolution. evolution. devotion” arched over a tree of life that Roberts’ herself created. The shirt will available for men and women with 40 percent of the gross proceeds going towards the organization.

Learn more about the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria on their website.

thanks: looktothestars.org

September 3rd 2008

Vanity Fair’s Top 10 Most Influential Features Pitt, Jolie, Gore

Filed under: magazines — Michael Andre d'Estries @ 4:33 pm

Vanity Fair magazine has released their “Top 100 Most Influential People In The World” list — and making the top 10 for the first time are Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, and Al Gore (Coming in at 9 and 10 respectively). Who’s number one? Oddly enough, another first timer by the name of Vladimir Putin. We’re still trying to figure that one out…

Where do some other favorite Ecorazzi regulars sit on the list? Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger comes in at 33, Tom Hanks at 34, and Bono at 36. Stephen Colbert (45), John Stewart (44) and Oprah Winfrey (43) are all neck ‘n neck. Surprisingly, George Clooney dropped from 27 to 55 this year!

The V.F. 100 appears in the October issue of Vanity Fair, on newsstands in New York and Los Angeles on September 3 and nationally on September 9.

Click here to see the full 100 names ranked…

July 29th 2008

Bono To Be Godfather To Jolie and Pitt’s Twins?

Filed under: babies and bumps — Michael Andre d'Estries @ 4:26 pm

The entrainment industry is one tight family. Nowhere is this more evident than the rumor that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have asked singer Bono to be godfather to their new twins, Knox Leon and Vivienne Marcheline. It’s truly a different world when you can sit around a table and seriously consider someone like Bono to watch over your kids.

Anyways, Pitt and Jolie recently joined Bono and his wife Ali Hewson at their home in the South of France — and popped the question to him — we imagine over fine organic cheeses and wine. Apparently, he accepted on the spot (who wouldn’t?) and “is thrilled”.

“Brad and Angie think the world of Bono,” a source revealed to the UK Mirror. “They have been friends for years. Brad is a massive U2 fan and told Bono how much he admired him when they were introduced at a party a few years back. Since then, they’ve become very close, which Brad is thrilled about. Angelina is inspired by Bono’s humanitarian work and gets on with his wife Ali Hewson.”

Ms. Hewson also gave some organic clothing from her ethical clothing range, Edun, as a present for the kids.

No word yet on who might be chosen as a godmother, but the Mirror seems to point to Jolie’s ex-lesbian lover Jenny Shimzu as a candidate. Together with Bono, this could turn out to be one of the more interesting godparent pairings in history. Who would you choose?

via The Mirror

June 2nd 2008

The Green Picture: Bono Goes Digging In Japan

Filed under: campaigns, honors, thegreenpicture — Michael Andre d'Estries @ 12:54 pm

Rocker and humanitarian Bono visited Odaiba last week — a man-made island in Tokyo Bay, as part of the Green Island Project. After some digging and planting, he was also recognized for his work in battling poverty and received an honorary doctorate from Keio University. 

via CelebsGoneGood