In the five years since Chris Salgardo, president of Kiehl’s U.S.A., has been at the helm, he’s literally taken the brand for a ride in the name of charity. Kiehl’s has created a new philanthropic initiative practically every year, including 2010’s LifeRide for amfAR (a six-day motorcycle ride through California) and its newest endeavor, Kiehl’s Gives, created in honor of the brand’s 160th anniversary. The initiative supports three of Kiehl’s key charitable pillars—children, the environment, and H.I.V./AIDS—with Julianne Moore, Pharrell Williams, and The Scissor Sisters lending their star power. Each celebrity is representing a pillar closest to his or her heart:
Moore for children’s well-being, Williams for the environment, and The Scissor Sisters for H.I.V./AIDS research. The initiative kicks off at KiehlsGives.com on June 15, when consumers are invited to watch a short-film series featuring the celebrity ambassadors and then vote for their favorite pillar. Come September, $160,000 will be distributed to the charities, with the largest amount going to the pillar with the most votes. All of the charities will be supported by at least $20,000. As most people know (from the products’ labels), Kiehl’s was created in 1851. But did you know that this was 10 years before Abraham Lincoln was even elected president?
The retrospective is open to the public until August 31 and includes an interactive historical tour of the brand at iPad viewing stations; the Friends of Kiehl’s documentary, featuring a host of the brand’s celebrity pals; and a motorcycle photo booth where you can pose on a 1934 Indian Scout motorcycle once owned by Steve McQueen. It’s worth popping in to check it out and pick up a limited-edition bottle of Creme De Corps featuring labels exclusive to the retrospective. Happy birthday, Kiehl’s, and here’s to 160 more! The 160th Anniversary Retrospective is open to the public through August 31, 2011, at the Kiehl’s flagship store, at 109 Third Avenue, in New York City.
*vanityfair.com
*kiehlsgives.com
Previously:
Pharrell Talks Kiehl’s