The holidays are officially underway as former first lady Michelle Obama made a special appearance at this year’s Saks Fifth Avenue iconic holiday windows and lights show.
This year guests were outside the Manhattan flagship to witness the festivities, which included the classic dancing Saks light show, spanning 10 stories, a performance by the Young People’s Chorus of New York City, and Saks CEO Marc Metrick’s announcement of the special partnership before welcoming the guest of honor.
Making her way across the barricaded Fifth Avenue in a sparkling black overcoat and matching set ensemble last night, Michelle Obama made an appearance on behalf of the Obama Foundation’s Girls Opportunity Alliance, which Saks partnered with for its 2021 holiday campaign. She spoke of the organization’s aim to empower young girls through education worldwide. “You see before the pandemic 98 million adolescent girls were not in school,” said Obama, “but now with so many schools around the world forced to close over the past couple of years, too often the question isn’t when girls are returned to school but if they’ll return at all.” The stakes are just too high for the rest of us to wait around.
Saks 2021 window unveiling by Jada Yelverton-Graves, Caitlin James, Marc Metrick, and Michelle Obama
Neil Rasmus/BFA.com
And with this collaboration, Saks Fifth Avenue’s support of the Girls Opportunity Alliance includes a generation $1 million donation, a curated multivendor merchandise collection, dedicated holiday window displays, and a Saks career-shadowing opportunity. The multivendor merchandise collection features products across all categories including women’s and men’s ready-to-wear, accessories, kids, home, and beauty items. Participating designers include Bond No. 9, Brandon Blackwood, Christopher John Rogers, Fear of God, Jason Wu, Nest New York, Oscar de la Renta, Phillip Lim, Posh Peanut, and Sergio Hudson, among others.
So this year, when you buy a sweater, a bag, or a candle from the Saks curated holiday collection, 100% of the collection’s net proceeds from online sales on saks.com and at participating Saks Fifth Avenue stores will be donated to The Obama Foundation in support of the Girls Opportunity Alliance to empower adolescent girls through education. “If you’re buying something for this collection over the next week or few weeks, you’ll not just be scratching something off your to-do list,” Obama said. “But you’re also going to have the opportunity to help secure a brighter future for girls all around the world. And what a powerful way to embrace the holiday spirit. Isn’t it?”
To watch the full light show along with Michelle Obama’s appearance, tune into Saks Fifth Avenue’s channels at 7 p.m. E.T. on November 23 for a special streaming event presented by Mastercard. In the meantime, you can shop the GOA collection at saksfifthavenue.com.
Michelle Obama Welcomes the Holiday Season With a Message of Giving
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