logo
Prada and UNESCO Launch Groundbreaking Fund For Ocean Preservation

Prada and UNESCO Launch Groundbreaking Fund For Ocean Preservation

Grazia USA3 days ago

In a world-first initiative blending fashion with ecological foresight, Prada Group and UNESCO have announced the creation of the SEA BEYOND, a Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Connecting People and Ocean, unveiled during the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice. @grazia_me
Today, @Prada Group, in partnership with UNESCO-IOC and Sea Beyond, announces its support for Coral Gardeners, a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring coral reefs. In a series of panels and workshops at the third United National Ocean Conference in Nice, France, the Italian fashion conglomerate announced its plans to scale their reef restoration efforts. #GraziaMe #Prada #SeaBeyond
♬ suara asli – f – f
With an initial €2 million (Dhs8.5 million) contribution from Prada, the donation marks a bold new chapter in ocean conservation. But this is more than philanthropy – it's cultural evolution. Designed to restore our frayed relationship with the ocean, the donation will support projects that intersect science, education, policy, and art. From embedding ocean literacy into school curricula to amplifying youth voices in environmental discourse, it's a sweeping, five-priority mission to future-proof our planet – and, to be frank, ourselves. 'At its heart, this is about empowering a new generation,' said UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. 'Change begins in the classroom.' Photograhy: Enzo Barracco
Lorenzo Bertelli, Head of CSR at Prada and Executive Director of the Ocean Decade Alliance, echoed that sentiment: 'We're not just funding projects – we're scaling a global movement.' It's the natural next step for Prada's SEA BEYOND program, which has already educated over 35,000 students and trained all 14,000 Prada employees in ocean literacy.
The initiative comes at a pivotal time. As Brazil becomes the first nation to embed ocean literacy into its national curriculum, and as climate urgency intensifies, fashion's role in shaping culture – and consciousness – is undeniable. Photograhy: Enzo Barracco
Prada, through its Re-Nylon Collection and now the SEA BEYOND Fund, is anchoring itself as a leader in luxury with purpose. It's a long-term commitment, yes – but also an elegant call to action we need in these troubled times.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Bezos, Sánchez say 'I do' in a divided Venice
Bezos, Sánchez say 'I do' in a divided Venice

Local Italy

time20 hours ago

  • Local Italy

Bezos, Sánchez say 'I do' in a divided Venice

"This city seems impossible! It can't exist and yet, here it is!" an enchanted Bezos told a La Repubblica journalist Thursday who got close to the magnate as he whizzed around the canals by boat. But protesters had a different view, wondering how long Venice can endure: While the billionaires party, activists say the fragile city is sinking, overrun by tourists, and a victim of depopulation as locals unable to pay soaring rents are forced out. "No Kings, No Bezos" read a sign in green neon projected on the St Mark's Campanile tower on Thursday night. Serenaded Sánchez late Friday posted a photo on Instagram -- under a new name, laurensanchezbezos -- showing her in a long flowing white dress and him in black tie, though it did not provide any indication where it was taken. Bezos and Sánchez, a former news anchor and entertainment reporter, celebrated their nuptials with guests including Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey and Orlando Bloom. The tech magnate, 61, and Sánchez, 55, are staying at the Aman hotel, a luxury 16th-century palazzo on the Grand Canal with a view of the Rialto bridge. Other A-list guests are staying at the Gritti Palace and the St. Regis. The couple exchanged vows at a black-tie ceremony on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore Friday afternoon, according to Italian media reports. The wedding is thought to have taken place in a vast open-air amphitheatre on the island, which sits across from Venice's iconic St Mark's Square. The newlyweds were to be serenaded by Matteo Bocelli, son of the famed opera singer Andrea Bocelli, reports said. Michelin-starred chef Fabrizio Mellino prepared the wedding dinner, while the cake has been made by French pastry chef Cedric Grolet, the Corriere della Sera said. Sánchez is alleged to have prepared 27 outfits to wear during the festivities. 'Enchanted' Wedding guests snapped by paparazzi as they hopped into boats included Jordan's Queen Rania, French luxury goods executive Francois-Henri Pinault, American football player Tom Brady, US fashion designer Spencer Antle, the singer Usher, and Ivanka Trump, daughter of US President Donald Trump, and her husband Jared Kushner. The guests reportedly lunched Thursday in the gardens of Villa Baslini, on the islet of San Giovanni Evangelista. The celebrations are set to end Saturday with a party likely at the Arsenale, a vast shipyard complex dating back to when the city was a naval powerhouse. Bezos and Sánchez are donating three million euros ($3.5 million) to the city, according to Veneto's regional president Luca Zaia, and are employing historic Venetian artisans. Venice's oldest pastry maker Rosa Salva is baking 19th-century "fishermen's biscuits" for party bags that will also contain something by Laguna B, renowned for its handblown Murano glass. Trump and her family visited a glass-blowing workshop on the small island of Murano on Wednesday, according to the owner. "They were amazed and enchanted by the magic of glass," Massimiliano Schiavon told the Corriere della Sera, adding that the family had a go at blowing glass. Venice, home to the oldest film festival in the world, is used to VIPs whizzing around in speed boats, and happily hosted the star-studded nuptials of Hollywood actor George Clooney in 2014. Some say this wedding too brings good business. Italy's tourism ministry said Friday it expected the wedding to bring the city nearly one billion euros, with about 895 million of that estimated to come from the "media visibility" generated. But critics say Bezos, one of the world's richest men and founder of a company regularly scrutinised for how it treats its workers, is different. "Tax Billionaires", read protest signs along canals. "In the time it takes you to read this, Jeff Bezos's wealth has increased by more than your monthly salary", they read in English and Italian. Environmental activists have also pointed to the carbon footprint of the mega yachts and dozens of private jets -- at least 95 -- bringing the rich and famous to the city. But Samuel Silvestri, a 55-year-old salesman, welcomed the extravaganza. "Over-tourism is caused by those people who come with a backpack and their own food, and contribute very little," he said, "not those who transform Venice into a mini-Monte Carlo. This marriage helps the image of the city." Italy's health ministry has issued a red heat alert for Venice for the weekend, part of a heatwave affecting much of southern Europe.

Prada and UNESCO Launch Groundbreaking Fund For Ocean Preservation
Prada and UNESCO Launch Groundbreaking Fund For Ocean Preservation

Grazia USA

time3 days ago

  • Grazia USA

Prada and UNESCO Launch Groundbreaking Fund For Ocean Preservation

In a world-first initiative blending fashion with ecological foresight, Prada Group and UNESCO have announced the creation of the SEA BEYOND, a Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Connecting People and Ocean, unveiled during the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice. @grazia_me Today, @Prada Group, in partnership with UNESCO-IOC and Sea Beyond, announces its support for Coral Gardeners, a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring coral reefs. In a series of panels and workshops at the third United National Ocean Conference in Nice, France, the Italian fashion conglomerate announced its plans to scale their reef restoration efforts. #GraziaMe #Prada #SeaBeyond ♬ suara asli – f – f With an initial €2 million (Dhs8.5 million) contribution from Prada, the donation marks a bold new chapter in ocean conservation. But this is more than philanthropy – it's cultural evolution. Designed to restore our frayed relationship with the ocean, the donation will support projects that intersect science, education, policy, and art. From embedding ocean literacy into school curricula to amplifying youth voices in environmental discourse, it's a sweeping, five-priority mission to future-proof our planet – and, to be frank, ourselves. 'At its heart, this is about empowering a new generation,' said UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. 'Change begins in the classroom.' Photograhy: Enzo Barracco Lorenzo Bertelli, Head of CSR at Prada and Executive Director of the Ocean Decade Alliance, echoed that sentiment: 'We're not just funding projects – we're scaling a global movement.' It's the natural next step for Prada's SEA BEYOND program, which has already educated over 35,000 students and trained all 14,000 Prada employees in ocean literacy. The initiative comes at a pivotal time. As Brazil becomes the first nation to embed ocean literacy into its national curriculum, and as climate urgency intensifies, fashion's role in shaping culture – and consciousness – is undeniable. Photograhy: Enzo Barracco Prada, through its Re-Nylon Collection and now the SEA BEYOND Fund, is anchoring itself as a leader in luxury with purpose. It's a long-term commitment, yes – but also an elegant call to action we need in these troubled times.

Venice divided as A-listers descend for Bezos wedding
Venice divided as A-listers descend for Bezos wedding

Local Italy

time5 days ago

  • Local Italy

Venice divided as A-listers descend for Bezos wedding

The tech magnate and journalist have reportedly invited about 200 guests to their multi-million-dollar nuptials in the Italian city, which are expected to begin on Thursday and end on Saturday with a ceremony at a secret location. The security details are under tight wraps amid media speculation that the wedding may take place at the historic Church of the Abbey of Misericordia, or at the Arsenale – a vast shipyard complex dating back to when Venice was a republic. Bezos, 61, and former news anchor and entertainment reporter Sanchez, 55, are said to have fully booked the city's finest hotels for a star-studded guest list rumoured to include Leonardo DiCaprio, Mick Jagger, Kim Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey, Orlando Bloom and Ivanka Trump. At least 95 private planes have requested permission to land at Venice's Marco Polo airport, Italy's Corriere della Sera said. Bezos's superyacht, Koru, is expected to be moored just off the iconic San Giorgio Maggiore island, which lies just opposite St Mark's Square. Star-studded The lavish celebration has sparked protests in Venice, where some fear A-list guests and their entourages will make life worse for residents in a city already buckling under the weight of mass tourism. Around 100,000 tourists stay overnight in peak periods, while tens of thousands descend just for the day. Venice hosted the star-studded nuptials of Hollywood actor George Clooney 11 years ago, but protesters say Bezos - one of the world's richest men and founder of a company regularly scrutinised for how it treats its workers - is different. As environmentalists questioned the guests' carbon footprint, Greenpeace slammed the billions spent on hedonistic partying while the fragile city is "sinking under the weight of the climate crisis". Sanchez has also been criticised for saying more must be done to tackle climate change while also taking part in a space flight in April on a rocket developed by Bezos's space company Blue Origin. Activists unfurled a giant banner in St Mark's Square on Monday, with a picture of Bezos laughing and a sign reading: "If you can rent Venice for your wedding, you can pay more tax." 'Private ballroom' The lagoon city has imposed a ticket policy for day-trippers, but locals say more must be done to protect local businesses and tackle the housing crisis. Tommaso Cacciari, 47, who heads the No Space for Bezos movement, said the protesters object to "the use of Venice as if it were a very private ballroom, rather than a real city with inhabitants, with frailties, with problems". He told AFP such events were "condemning Venice to a definitive death" by driving out remaining residents, and said protesters were ready to kill the romance by throwing "our bodies, our boats and inflatable animals" into canals as guests pass. The couple's Sicilian wedding planners Lanza & Baucina said they have been instructed to minimise any disruption to the city. And Simone Venturini, Venice's tourism city councillor, denied it would disrupt daily life, telling AFP it was just "one of many events that the city hosts on a daily basis. It is also relatively small in terms of the number of people involved". The couple, both divorced, have made charity donations to support the city and are employing historic Venetian artisans. Venice's oldest pastry maker Rosa Salva is baking 19th-century "fishermen's biscuits" for party bags also expected to contain something by Laguna B, renowned for its handblown Murano glass. While disgruntled citizens hoping to make a splash ready their swimming costumes, others flattered by Bezos's decision to celebrate here have set up a counter-group called 'Yes Venice Can'. "It's a fragile city, that's clear, it's not like you can do everything all the time, no matter what – but events like this don't create any problems at all," said 50-year-old local Michele Serafini. The wedding "brings money to the city of Venice" and that can only be a good thing, he said. By Lisa Duso with Ella Ide in Rome.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store