Children at Heart

(NEW YORK) How does Roberto Cavalli plan to spend his time to New York? With his hands covered in glue in East Harlem, for starters. Last night, the affable Italian designer headed uptown to engage in a crafts project with local children benefitted by the non-profit organization Free Arts NYC.

"I have been a fan of Roberto for a long time, and when his team called and said he was coming to New York for the holidays, I immediately thought of Free Arts," said Mary Alice Stephenson, who serves as a board member and ambassador for the organization and has worked extensively with Cavalli's team. "For the past 8 years, we've had so many fashion brands involved--Donna Karan, Christian Dior, Tommy Hilfiger and Louis Vuitton and even young designers like Thom Browne, Marchesa, and Erin Fetherston. Everyone gives in this business; we have such an amazing philanthropic fashion community--but it was so nice to see Roberto Cavalli roll up his sleeves and do art with these kids!"

The Italian designer spent last night making scarves with children aged 6 to 12 at Little Sisters of Assumption community center. "We discussed fashion, and he talked about believing in himself so that he could do anything," said Stephenson. "Many of the kids knew people he's dressed, like Beyonce, Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Lopez and Christina Aguilera. They actually knew who he was, which was fantastic. Their moms and the sisters came along to meet him!"

Cavalli shipped fabric and embellishments over from Italy, and he gifted the children with packages overflowing with art supplies. "Many of these kids use art as a way to express their emotions and heal," said Stephenson. "They had him sign their scarves. Overall, it was very cool to have Roberto Cavalli and his generous spirit there on 115th Street. For these kids, he was Santa Claus."
ASHLEY BAKER