A Fashion Hit From The American Red Cross?

Not the ordinary charity tee, “vintage” look proves a surprise hit with celebs, fashionistas

Editorial note: High resolution images of the American Red Cross commemorative T-shirt are available at http://www.redcross.org/images/store/storeitems.html or to request a sample, please contact Stacey Grissom or Amanda Mark via the information above.

WASHINGTON, Wednesday, November 17, 2004 — With a “so now” color of cargo green, a cotton/polyester blend that makes for a lean fit and a soft feel, as well as a fashion forward design evoking the current trend for anything vintage, the American Red Cross commemorative T-shirt looks very little like the typical T-shirt one gets from their favorite nonprofit or charity. It is these distinctions that has turned what many typically use as something to work out in or sleep in, into a surprise hit with the public—celebrities and fashionistas alike.

“This is definitely not a shirt you’d be wearing to the gym or to bed or even just to lounge around in,” says Darren Irby, Vice President of Public Relations for the American Red Cross. “It is a shirt you’d wear on a night out or when getting together with friends. We knew this was a pretty unique look for a nonprofit—let alone the Red Cross. But the response has been absolutely phenomenal and exciting. We’ve actually sold out twice and I don’t think that has ever happened.”

The crew neck shirt, along with a knit kit are commemorative products developed as part of the organization’s commemoration of World War II and the dedication of the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., in May of this year. “Thanks to the organization’s long history, there are some really cool images to tap into and we’re looking into perhaps doing more vintage T-shirts,” Irby said.

Celebrities are among the fans of the hot-selling tee. Actress Julianne Moore was pictured in the August 23 US Weekly wearing her shirt while pushing a stroller in New York. Joe Don Rooney, of country music group Rascal Flatts and American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet member, wore his T-shirt during an August concert in Albany, N.Y. And actor Josh Coxx who plays “Peter Riggs, R.N.” on the popular Lifetime Television drama Strong Medicine took his shirt to “work”—wearing the tee on an episode.

The Red Cross commemorative T-shirt retails for $20.00 and is available at the organization’s online store at www.redcross.org. “We’ve heard that the shirt is as versatile as it is cool. I’ve seen it worn casually with jeans and dressed up under a suit. It has both presence and personality, and it is neat to see the different ways people wear it,” Irby said.

Governed by volunteers and supported by community donations, the American Red Cross is a nationwide network of nearly 900 field units dedicated to saving lives and helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Led by 1 million volunteers and 36,000 employees, the Red Cross annually mobilizes relief to families affected by more than 70,000 disasters, trains almost 12 million people in lifesaving skills and exchanges more than a million emergency messages for U.S. military service personnel and their families. The Red Cross is the largest supplier of blood and blood products to more than 3,000 hospitals across the nation and also assists victims of international disasters and conflicts at locations worldwide. Marsha J. Evans is the President and CEO of the American Red Cross.