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 The
FELISSIMO Forest Fund: Planting Trees for the Future
The
FELISSIMO Earth Village Fund: Support for Regional
Independence
Fair
Trade: Trade to Support Regional Autonomy
Surely,
Always, More: Love for Kobe
The
Kobe School: Teachings for a New Kobe
The
FELISSIMO Literary Award: Self-Expression
Happy
Toys: Toys of Love
Design
21: International Design Award
Design
21 I - 1995-1996
Design
21 II - 1997-1998 An Eternal World: Bridging Oceans and Time
Design
21 III - 1999-2000 Chic Chinois
Design
21 IV - 2001-2002 Continuous Connection
NUSY
Love & Peace T-Shirts: The Power of a T-Shirt
Tribute
21
Tribute
21 Plates
FELISSIMO’s
Eco Aesthetics: Living in Harmony with Nature
The FELISSIMO Forest Fund: Planting Trees
for the Future
 The “FELISSIMO Forest Fund” was created in 1990. Starting
in France, over 1,500,000 trees in 22 locations, including El
Salvador, India and Japan have been planted. Made possible by
donations of 100 yen (approximately $1.00) per month from
FELISSIMO’s customers, we are planting trees so that future
generations may enjoy green forests. Our goal is to ensure man’s
coexistence with nature.
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The FELISSIMO Earth Village Fund: Support
for Regional Independence
 The
“FELISSIMO Earth Village Fund” was created in 1993 to support
underdeveloped parts of the globe. Similar to the FELISSIMO Forest
Fund, the FELISSIMO Earth Village Fund is made possible by 100 yen
(approximately $1.00) monthly donations from FELISSIMO’s customers
all over Japan. The contributions are used to support various aid
programs in the world.
The FELISSIMO Earth Village Fund,
working with non-governmental organizations (NGO), has assisted the
people of Rwanda and other underdeveloped countries by providing
emergency food aid, medical care and educational planning and
programs designed to improve living conditions.
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Fair Trade: Trade to Support Regional
Autonomy
With the cooperation of regional organizations in
underdeveloped areas (Peru, Bangladesh, Guatemala and Kenya, for
example), FELISSIMO has established manufacturing programs that use
traditional production techniques and area resources. We have helped
to create jobs while preserving the integrity of the area’s culture.
In addition, FELISSIMO has provided art supplies
to children in countries torn by civil war or suffering from
poverty. Pictures drawn by children are magically transformed into
captivating products, made and sold by FELISSIMO. Portions of the
sales proceeds are returned to the young artists through
non-governmental organizations (NGO).
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Surely, Always, More: Love for
Kobe
After the 1995 earthquake in Kobe, Japan,
FELISSIMO asked our customers throughout Japan to help in the
recovery efforts. We began a program of assistance: the “100 Yen
Monthly Donation.” Designed not only for the short-term recovery of
Kobe, the program also supported the long-term renewal of this port
city.
Contributions of 100-yen (approximately $1.00)
poured in from all over Japan. Though little in value, 100 yen, when
contributed by millions of people, grows strong in its power.
Approximately 400 million yen ($34 million) in contributions have
been received since the program began. Respecting the donors’
wishes, FELISSIMO directed the funds to children’s aid, the
establishment of public spaces and the support of volunteer
activities.
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The Kobe School: Teachings for a New
Kobe
The Kobe School was created by FELISSIMO, with
guidance from Kobe’s citizens. Seminars open to the public revolve
around the concept “Redefining Lifestyles.” Guest speakers are
invited to conduct seminars and to lead workshops. Consistent with
our philosophy of giving, the admission fees for the Kobe School are
used to support children’s programs in Kobe.
It is FELISSIMO’s goal that all the participants
of the Kobe School will create a lifestyle promoting happiness,
well-being and value in their everyday lives.
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The FELISSIMO Literary Award:
Self-Expression
Within freedom lies self-expression. FELISSIMO
believes that the ability to express oneself is an important factor
in a person’s happiness and well-being. To that end, in the spring
of 1997 we created the “FELISSIMO Literary Award.” We invited
everyone, regardless of age or gender, to share stories of simple,
everyday pleasures. It is FELISSIMO’s wish that this award will
bring the writer freedom through self-expression and the reader an
opportunity to identify with the author’s everyday life
experiences.
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Happy Toys: Toys of Love
 In 1997, FELISSIMO
began a project designed to bring happiness to children around the
world. We asked our customers to search their homes for 4 X 4-inch
swatches of fabric. FELISSIMO assembled 30,000 pieces of fabric from
all over Japan. Using these pieces, volunteers created 1,100 smiling
stuffed animals, which we call “Happy Toys.” Each New Year, the
stuffed animals are distributed to children worldwide, earning them
the name of “Smiling Goodwill Ambassadors.” First displayed in Kobe,
Japan, FELISSIMO’s Smiling Goodwill Ambassadors have traveled to
Tokyo, New York and Beijing, and have been distributed to children
throughout Japan, Vietnam, Rwanda and Afghanistan.
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Design 21: International Design Award
FELISSIMO established the Design 21 International
Design Award in 1995 as part of the United Nations’ 50th Anniversary
celebrations. Co-organized with the United Nations Educational
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Award was
conceived as an encouragement to young designers and as an
opportunity to showcase their talents internationally. FELISSIMO has
staged four exhibitions to date and has received high praise for
offering young designers the chance to create and display their
works of art to a worldwide audience.
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Design 21 I - 1995-1996
The United Nations’ 50th Anniversary celebrated
efforts to create an environment of cooperation. The theme for
“Design 21 I was “One World, Without Time, Without Borders.” We
invited young designers worldwide to create works that reflected
their cultural identity. Using traditional materials and methods,
each designer was requested through his or her creation, to show
consideration for the environment.
These works were judged and 50 winners were
chosen and shown as part of a gala fashion show at Carousel du
Louvre in Paris, at the United Nations’ offices in Geneva,
Switzerland and in exhibitions in New York City, Beijing, and Tokyo
and Kobe, Japan.
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Design 21 II - 1997-1998 An Eternal World:
Bridging Oceans and Time
Design 21 II was timed to coincide with Expo ’98
in Lisbon, Portugal. As its theme, FELISSIMO chose “An Eternal
World: Bridging Oceans and Time.” FELISSIMO invited designers
to submit works that reflected their identity, individuality and
culture. Consistent with the first Design 21, FELISSIMO required
that each entry use traditional methods and materials, and show the
artist’s concern for the environment. Awards were given to 98
finalists and their works were exhibited in a fashion show at Expo
’98 and in Kobe, Japan.
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Design 21 III - 1999-2000 Chic
Chinois
To embrace the spirit and vitality of Design 21
in the next century, FELISSIMO focused attention on China’s
4000-year history of fine art for the theme of Design 21 III. We
called for original works that reinterpreted the classic Chinese
aesthetic and fused elements of the Orient with Western design.
The winning designs were exhibited in Beijing,
China and Kobe, Japan and at UNESCO’s offices in Paris.
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Design 21 IV - 2001-2002 Continuous
Connection
 Design 21
of the 21st century is aimed to cultivate positive relationships
among people, nature and lifestyles. For FELISSIMO’s Design 21 IV,
“Continuous Connection,” we asked young designers to create a new
vision for this century’s lifestyles with original designs and
concepts. From the entries, 64 finalists were chosen and awarded
grand and runner-up prizes.
The winning designs were exhibited in New York
City and at UNESCO’s offices in Paris.
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NUSY Love & Peace T-Shirts: The Power
of a T-Shirt
On September 11, 2001 our world changed
dramatically. And in the weeks following, the message boards of
FELISSIMO’s “NUSY” Chat Room were filled. “What can we do?”
FELISSIMO-Japan’s employees set to work
brainstorming and created the “NUSY: Love & Peace T-Shirt
Project.” Via telephone, mail, fax and the Internet, NUSY t-shirts
were sold to over 60,000 Japanese consumers, raising $150,000 to
support children in New York and Afghanistan. The funds were
distributed equally to New York and Afghanistan through the
UNESCO.
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Tribute
21
 Tribute 21 began as a
series of 21 lithographs created by well-known artist Robert
Rauschenberg, celebrating 21 humanitarian themes for the 21st
century. The themes represent peace, culture, social justice and the
environment. Each piece is dedicated to a person who inspires
generations to come (for example, Cinema is dedicated to Steven
Spielberg, Health to Dr. Mathilde Krim, Nature to Jacques Cousteau,
etc). FELISSIMO contributed $10,000 to each honoree to donate to a
philanthropy of their choice.
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Tribute 21 Plates
Wouldn’t it be nice if Santa Claus brought the
world’s children a gift? FELISSIMO decided to make this dream come
true. Tribute 21 Plates are a charity plate collection marking the
10th Anniversary of FELISSIMO’s catalogue, “Santa Book.” Every year,
we produce original plates that have been designed by artists and
other people from all walks of life. Each plate carries a symbol of
hope for the children of the world.
This collection is part of our “cause-related
merchandise.” From each plate sold, a portion of the proceeds are
donated to the UNESCO and is used for children’s educational,
cultural and sports activities worldwide.
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FELISSIMO’s Eco Aesthetics: Living in
Harmony with Nature
FELISSIMO believes that ecology and living in
harmony with nature is central to the union between man and nature.
We call this “Eco Aesthetics.” FELISSIMO is actively involved in
promoting environmental awareness through various programs, projects
and products.
f.e.a.: FELISSIMO’s Seal of Approval
To ensure harmony with nature, all of the
products shown in FELISSIMO’s catalogues bear the “f.e.a.” mark,
showing proof that they have met strict product development
standards. Consideration is given to production materials and
manufacturing processes. Substances harmful to the environment are
not permitted. Only items conceived and manufactured with renewable
resources and technologies that decrease waste receive FELISSIMO’s
original f.e.a. mark.
We hope this commitment to strict standards will
make a lasting contribution to the environment.
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