Tag: philanthropy

Dia Ates

DesignerSan Francisco, CAStory & Photography by Lauri Levenfeld

Dia Ates is in the business of making the world a better place. Through her uncanny design aesthetics and techniques and her unwavering commitment and connection to her clients, Ates creates fashion and architecture that surpass the wildest of expectations, fantasies and imagination. Her work channels the artisans of the old world and her mentality for how and what she creates, the same. But Dia’s adds a modern day twist, going deeper with her designs and  her desires to create a company that not only gives back, but will build infrastructure, encourage entrepreneurship and navigate the development of artisanal skills in communities across the developing world. With just over a week to go before her first runway show and the soft launch of her fashion line benefiting over 27 charities, Dia tells her story of sleepless nights and dyed peacock feathers.

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Suzanne Lerner

for Michael StarsManhattan Beach, CAPhotos & Story by Lauri Levenfeld

Honored as a Woman of Vision by Gloria Steinem and the Ms. Foundation,  Suzanne Lerner has been recognized many times over for her lifetime commitment and achievements in furthering the agenda and rights of women worldwide. Through her role as President of Michael Stars, Lerner chose from the beginning to make philanthropy a quintessential part of the company culture.  The international fashion brand champions women in marginalized countries without the means to build businesses, while also initiating awareness and creating a solid role model for other companies to follow suit and as Lerner puts it,  “Get into the business of good”.  I could not ask for a better person to spearhead 2016 and TPFW’s social revolution The Power of One, a series dedicated to influential leaders who take small steps to ignite big changes within their community, outside communities, and the world at large. 

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