It’s not often a lipstick takes the credit for raising millions for HIV support. But at this year’s UKC Hero Awards, the M.A.C Aids Fund won the Corporate Award on the back of its four Viva Glam lip colours. Shirley Manson (rock band Garbage’s singer) accepted the award. Rose de Freitas reports
I was really moved by Nicola Gray’s speech,” said Shirley Manson in her opening acceptance words at the event. Manson explained how she had become involved with M.A.C and the promotion of the Viva Glam lipsticks to raise funds for HIV and Aids.
“I had a brush with Aids 9 or ten years ago. I became very fearful. But I was one of the lucky ones, because my test came back negative. I have experienced the shame in a small way and I do know how ignorant people can be about HIV. I am very happy to be associated with M.A.C Cosmetics and Viva Glam and of course Mary J Blige and Elton John who are also involved in the campaign. Especially because it’s managed to capture the imagination of young people around the world about HIV and Aids.”
Manson has been working with her local HIV group, the Waverley Trust, which is Scotland’s largest HIV organisation. She joined Elton John and Mary J Blige for the publicity campaign last year when the Viva IV hit the counters. A frosted rose with a gold shimmer...the lipstick that is.
“They represent what M.A.C is all about: artists expressing themselves and their creativity with fashion and makeup,” says the M.A.C publicity office of the stars involved.
All three internationally-acclaimed artists are well-renowned for their colourful taste in fashion, hair styles, and make up. As a group they appeal to M.A.C’s diverse audience and fit in with the company’s motto: “All races, all sexes, all ages.”
Speaking
about the importance of the Aids Fund to M.A.C Cosmetics, president John Demsey
applauded the work of the 4,000 M.A.C employees and the great success of their
global work since the Canadian company launched the Aids Fund in the UK in 1994.
“One hundred per cent of everything sold on Viva Glam lipsticks goes to the Aids Fund,” he said. £17 million so far.
The philosophy behind the lipstick is that 100 per cent of the selling price - £11 - benefits the Fund and in turn these monies are donated to HIV/Aids-related organisations located in the communities where the money is most needed. To programmes and services providing food, housing, medicine, emergency services and education and especially to paediatric groups needing essential items such as diapers, formula baby food, toys, cribs, burial assistance and more.
Demsey went on to say finally: “We are truly honoured to receive this award. Winning it means a great deal to everyone at M.A.C from the high-ups to the kids in the shops. Not only is it great to be recognised as a company for the work that we do, but it also raises the awareness that Aids continues to be a major issue. Live and let live is the motto of our campaign.”
As well as the lipsticks, M.A.C Aids Fund has produced Kids Helping Kids holiday greeting cards to raise funds and is working with the Cosmo Girl US website on youth awareness and fundraising through sexual health education.
See page 8 for top M.A.C makeup artist Terry Barber’s comments on why M.A.C cosmetics are the best. And pages 33-36 for the UKC Hero Award event in pictures..
For further information, visit: www.macaidsfund.org
