PACT Holiday Collection Supports Post-Tsunami Rebuilding in Japan

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- "If it takes a village to raise a child, what will it take to raise a village?" That is the question posed by Cameron Sinclair of Architecture for Humanity after the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.  PACT heeded the call to action.

PACT, an apparel brand that combines design and sustainability with support for social and environmental causes, today announced the launch of PACT for Japan to support post-tsunami rebuilding in Japan. 10% of sales from this collection will directly contribute to Architecture for Humanity's reconstruction efforts in Shizugawa, a town in Japan where 70% of the structures were destroyed by the tsunami.

By purchasing items from the PACT for Japan collection, customers will be supporting Architecture for Humanity's design and construction of a work-house and oyster bar for a cooperative of 15 fishermen in the town of Shizugawa. The economy of Shizugawa rests on its fishing industry, so getting fishermen back to work is a crucial first step in revitalizing the town. The work-house will provide a warm space for fishermen and will become the new commercial center of the community. After the project is complete and 15 fishermen can begin working again, so can the people who support them: the local lunch lady, the delivery men, the ice suppliers, and on and on, thus breathing life back into a town that was nearly destroyed by the tsunami.

Never ones to be coy, PACT and Architecture for Humanity have brought together PACTivists and public figures from around the world to help shed some light, while shedding their clothes, on the restoration. The first of these photoshoots was shot in Santa Monica, California, at The Living Home, the first house in the US to receive LEED platinum certification for sustainability.  Since then, from New York to Hong Kong to Rome, PACTivists have stripped down to their PACT skivvies to show how a little cheeky act can make a big difference to drive the positive momentum of the rebuilding effort in Japan. PACTivist photography will be featured on the PACT website and a Facebook campaign throughout the holiday season.

"In the wake of humanitarian disasters of this proportion, new ways emerge to get people activated around a support mission," said Cameron Sinclair, Executive Director and Chief Eternal Optimist of Architecture for Humanity. "And PACT offers the kind of support we need – with simple products, such as socks and underwear, they can catalyze a global movement from a new generation of consumers who want even their shopping habits to have a positive effect on their world."  

"Once again, PACT has integrated design and product with communication and giving in a positive way," said Jeff Denby, Chief Creative Officer and co-founder of PACT. "Unique challenges require unique solutions and PACT is proud to support the efforts of Architecture for Humanity in Japan."    

The collection features three original underwear prints created by Yves Behar and his team at fuseproject. The designs resemble traditional Japanese wood block prints and are inspired by three major themes – water, shelter and light – each of which highlight the needs of communities following the tsunami. The three prints are available for men in brief, boxer brief, and trunk styles and for women in bikini, boy short, and thong styles.  A special collection of Socks for Japan is also available for men.

The new collection is available beginning today at japan.wearPACT.com as well as select Nordstrom stores and retailers across the United States. PACT customers can also support Architecture for Humanity's work all over the world with a $10 contribution by texting the word 'DESIGN' to 85944.

About PACT:
PACT is an apparel company launched in 2009 by Jason Kibbey and Jeff Denby offering design-driven, sustainably manufactured, premium essentials connected to powerful social and environmental causes. PACT creates partnerships with nonprofits and donates a portion of each purchase to support these organizations' work. PACT tops, underwear and socks are made of responsibly grown and manufactured organic cotton and delivered with a minimized carbon footprint, demonstrating the company's ongoing commitment to style, sustainability and social consciousness. For more information, email us at [email protected].

About Architecture for Humanity:
Architecture for Humanity is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit design services firm founded in 1999 that seeks to build a more sustainable future through the power of professional design. Through a network of building professionals, Architecture for Humanity brings design, construction, and development services to communities in need. For more information: http://architectureforhumanity.org/

SOURCE PACT