Renowned Kiwi fashion house World has released a unique red ribbon brooch to benefit the NZ AIDS Foundation this World AIDS Day.
The gold and red brooch in the shape of a red ribbon was sold by World co-founder Francis Hooper from 1988 - 89 on behalf of the brooch's designer, Ruff, a gay man who died of AIDS in the mid 1990s.
The brooch is New Zealand designed and made, and is now available in World fashion stores in Auckland and Wellington, retails for $75 of which $10 will benefit targeted NZAF HIV prevention initiatives.
CLOSE TO HOME
NZAF National Partnerships Co‐ordinator Benjamin Barratt‐Boyes says one of the aims of World AIDS Day is to increase awareness of the virus in our communities.
"HIV diagnoses were at a record high in New Zealand in 2008, highlighting that HIV is close to home," he explains.
"World continues to captivate people and refocus their attention which makes them an ideal partner for the NZAF. The gay and bisexual men's communities continue to be most at risk of HIV in New Zealand and we know that World is significant influence in terms of attitude as well as fashion for gay and bisexual men."
The red ribbon is the oldest of the 'ribbon' campaigns. Originally created by New York artists in 1991 the red ribbon is a symbol of solidarity with people living with HIV and AIDS. Its creators chose red for its 'connection to blood and the idea of passion ‐ not only anger, but love, like a valentine'.
World AIDS Day is Tuesday 1 December and the NZAF World AIDS Day Street Appeal will take place tomorrow (Friday 27 November) in New Zealand's main centres. GayNZ.com's guide to events happening around the country for World AIDS Day is here.
