While Made with Love in Brazil reflects Marcasiano’s love of that country, Fashion With A Heart — launched concurrently with the collection — reflects her desire to support and promote local Brazilian designers, while making and selling socially-responsible fashion.
Part of the Made With Love in Brazil line is produced in a small community in Salvador, Bahia, under the direction of Rangel Oliviera, a young aspiring designer who works alongside his mother, Dona Analia.
In 2005, Marcasiano established a scholarship program aimed at sending deserving young students to school in Brazil ; Oliviera was the first recipient and is completing his second year at a fashion college in Salvador , Bahia.
Through additional fundraising, Marcasiano hopes to sponsor other students in Brazil with whom she has come in contact through her travels.
Other products in the Made With Love in Brazil line are created through a variety of local NGOs that support women’s craft cooperatives throughout Brazil. Coordinating the project in Brazil is Fabiana Bueno, a designer and native of Sao Paulo working with Marcasiano to build the concept of Fashion With a Heart within Brazil as well as the United States.
In 2007 Marcasiano formed MADE WITH LOVE - a non-profit global initative dedicated to raising funds and awareness for NGOs aiding women and children in need through the production and sale of fair trade indigenous products. Made With Love works through the Cygnet Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-for-profit public foundation. www.madewithloveproject.com
Each season Marcasiano teams up with like-minded friends for fashion events and trunk shows from which 10% of sales go to benefit local charities
Partners & Beneficiaries of Fashion With A Heart & MADE WITH LOVE listed here
