Bottega Veneta creates keychain to help Japan
As part of its ongoing effort to help those affected by the Japan earthquake and tsunami in March, Italian leathergoods company Bottega Veneta has designed a special keychain and will donate all profits from its sale to the Japanese Red Cross Society. The keychain, designed by Bottega Veneta creative director Tomas Maier, is made of hand-woven intrecciato nappa leather and represents the Japanese flag. It will be sold in Bottega Veneta stores around the world and on bottegaveneta.com, with a retail price of $180; EUR 110.
Since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, Bottega Veneta has donated all proceeds from sales made on bottegaveneta.jp to the Japan relief effort. In addition, PPR Group, Bottega Veneta’s parent company, has decided to make a donation of two million euros on behalf of the company and its brands to the ongoing relief effort in Japan via the Red Cross. PPR has also pledged to match any donations made by its 60,000 employees around the world.
“I am moved and inspired by the courage and determination of the Japanese people,” says Tomas Maier. “In designing this keychain I hoped to create not just a means of financial contribution but also a bold symbol of shared care and commitment. I hope the people of Japan will draw strength from this and other symbols of the world’s love and support as they work to rebuild their country.”
Marco Bizzarri, CEO and President of Bottega Veneta, noted that in the immediate aftermath, Bottega Veneta’s primary concern was for its employees in Japan and their families. “Bottega Veneta has more than 40 stores in Japan, and we have strong ties to communities, companies, and organisations around the country,” said Mr Bizzarri. “We are enormously proud of the resilience and resourcefulness our colleagues have shown in the face of extraordinary difficulty. We have watched in admiration as the entire country has worked together to help those in need and move forward. As Japan’s efforts turn from response to recovery, Bottega Veneta continues to offer our unwavering help and support.”
