idUnited

Ever wonder what music Natalie Portman likes and listens to?…

“Natalie has put together Big Change: Songs for FINCA, a $7.99 charity album available through iTunes, mixing together 16 songs from artists like Norah Jones and Antony & the Johnsons, and including exclusive tracks from the likes of M. Ward and Devendra Banhart — even a shiny new Shins remix. Net proceeds from the album — due Oct. 30 — will benefit FINCA (villagebanking.org), an organization that helps alleviate poverty in developing countries; she’s worked with the group since 2003.”

Go to iTunes today to check out the complete set and download it.

Damn she’s fine.

At least that’s what Chris Jordan thinks. Watch how Chris uses his creative digital imaging techniques to explore global consumption.

Watch the video here,.. courtesy of Current.

Via > PSFK

Back in July we wrote about how Prince William and Prince Harry were marking the 10th year anniversary of their mother’s death with a concert event to celebrate her life. Well It has just been announced that the concert raised £1.2 million for charity. Eight organisations will receive at least £150,000 each from the proceeds.

The charities will also benefit from the proceeds of the concert DVD, which goes on sale on November 5.

Well done fellas.

Via > The Press Association

Another product release from the (RED) campaign. This (RED) Aqua Table is designed by famous architect Zaha Hadid. Priced @ $49,560,.. it’s probably just a bit out of your (at least my) price range,.. but it’s nice to look and all the profits are going to support the Global Fund.  

“Established & Sons is extremely excited to partner the (RED) campaign founded by Bono and Bobby Shriver in 2002. This global initiative’s primary objective is to engage the private sector in the fight against AIDS in Africa by channeling funds from the sale of (RED) products directly to The Global Fund. The iconic Aqua Table designed by Zaha Hadid has been the most sought after piece from the Established & Sons’ collection; it is sold internationally as both a Limited Edition of 12 and as a production table. Since it’s 2005 debut all edition pieces have been sold, one of the two Limited Edition’s prototypes was sold at a Phillips de Pury’s auction for $296,000 and another is currently being exhibited at the Solomon R Guggenheim Museum as part of the Zaha Hadid retrospective.”

Established and Sons is only going to produce 39 of the (RED) Aqua Tables. They are all signed by both Zaha Hadid and Bono and will be available for purchase directly through Established & Sons web-site.

Via > Trendhunter

Anita Roddick died today at the age of 64. Mrs. Roddick was and will continue to be a huge inspiration for idUnited.

Here are some quotes from Anita that inspired me,.. I hope they’ll do the same for you >

“In terms of power and influence, you can forget the church and forget politics too. There is no more powerful institution in society than business. It is more important then ever before for business to assume a moral leadership in society”

“The prevailing view of trade could be described as commerce without conscience. And conscience is the key way out.”

“There are so many aspects of life that can’t be reduced to an entry in a balance book and our survival depends on remembering this.”

“The business of business should not just be about money, it should be about responsibility. It should be about public good, not private greed.”

“We need to measure progress by human development, not gross national product.”

“Progress has taught us more about our physical selves, but how much do we really know about our souls?”

“The next time you go shopping, demand more change.”

“If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.”

Spotted over @ PSFK >

“In October, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles will make a move unprecedented in museum history. It will feature the work of artist Takashi Murakami alongside a pop-up version of a Louis Vuitton store selling luxury leather goods in the middle of the exhibition.

Murakami has specifically designed bags and accessories for this exhibit. As an artist, he has sought to break the barriers between low and high art. Housing a luxury brand within a non-profit gallery accomplishes this task.

The shop-gallery will offer limited-edition handbags at $875 to $920 featuring designs by the Japanese artist. MOCA will not receive any rental fees or profits from the shop. The exhibition runs from October 29 and runs through February 11.”

MOCA won’t receive any rental fee or profits?… @ $900 a bag I’m sure they could get a little something.

Via > PSFK

{side note} > Check out the artwork that Murakami designed for KanYe Wests’ new album.

Did you know that Leona Helmsley (the hotel and real estate investor who’s worth $4billion) died last week. In her will  Leona left $12million dollars to her white Maltese, Trouble!? What the f_cK!? $12mil for a dog?…

Now before I show you what else Leona could have done with the $12mil,… I will let you know that Mrs. Helmsley left a bulk of her $4biillion fortune to the Leona M and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.  Great! But seriously $12mil for the pooch,… c’mon.

What if she spent $12mil on each of the charities below> 

*Leona could have built 857 PlayPumps with PlayPumps International . Giving 1million men, women and children  access to clean safe drinking water. Currently more than 1.1 billion people do not have access to clean water.

*Leona could have built 750Schools/Computer rooms with Room to Read. Helping hundreds of children each year learn a second language to improve their job skills and further their opportunities in the future.

*Leona could have planted 120million trees with Trees for the Future. You know about that Global Warming thing right? Resulting in violent weather changes and rising oceans; the loss of millions of acres of forest every year and, with it, the extinction of countless species of plants and animals. Yeah.

As you can see $12million dollars can make a huge impact around the world for many [generations] of people. What could our 4 legged friend Trouble possibly do to burn through the $12million >

Deep-muscle massage (pet masseuses can make up to $2,000 an hour)

Psychic readings to life coaching and “cosmic sensitivity.”

Meals prepared by famous chefs.

$25,000 or more on wardrobes.

$25,000 for their birthday party.

Fly around on private aircraft (alone)

Think I’m kidding?.. Read the Forbes article > Lifestyles of the Pets of the Rich and Famous.

Imagine the difference.

{Note to self: Become a billionaire. Do not become lonely}

Camilla Engman was chosen by the Converse 1HUND(RED) artists program to design a pair of Chucks for the (Product) RED campaign. Check out her Little Red Riding Hood inspired kicks here >

“For Converse 1HUND(RED) Artists, Engman drew upon the fabled character of Little Red Riding Hood as her primary inspiration. Engman noted, “The artist’s role in contributing to a cause is to try to help us see the cause anew, to understand it, to feel it in a visceral way.” She chose the character for her pluck and bravery, her warmth and kindness, and her iconic familiarity. Indeed, the Little Red Riding Hood character appears in many of Camilla’s works as a recurring motif. “I wanted the design not to interfere too much with the shoe and to be something I would like to wear myself. The Little Red Riding Hood character has appeared in many of my paintings and drawings and probably will again. She has so many attributes that I like,” she added.”

Converse hasn’t started selling Camilla’s kicks yet,. they’re still sampling them. Once they receive enough orders (I’m sure they will) then they’ll begin manufacturing them. So keep an eye out,.. or check back for an update. Congrats Camilla! 

Spotted over @ NOTCOT.org

Check out Stella’s Limited edition tank >

She originally created this limited-edition tank, $50, for the Glasto festival. She explains: “The t-shirt is inspired by all the airbrushing my mum and dad used to get made in the ’70s.” The tank will be on sale starting *today* July 24 and proceeds benefit the Oxfam charity, whose aim is to end worldwide poverty.

You can buy it @ YOOX

Via > PopSugar

Check out these shoes designed by lead guitarist of Modest Mouse > Johnny Marr >>

“The former Smiths man has created his own unique design of PF Flyers Centre Lo sneakers, proceeds from which will benefit two different charities on either side of the Atlantic.”

On one side of the pond >

“On July 10, 108 pairs of the trainers will be sold on eBay in the UK for £40 each. All the proceeds will go to The Pictor School in Manchester.”

On the other side of the pond >

“A further 108 pairs will go on sale Stateside on the same day for $80 with all monies earned going to the Cure Autism Now Foundation.”

Place your bid here.

Via > Gigwise