Bobbie Thomas TODAY Style Editor

The fashion industry may seem cutthroat (enter Heidi Klum saying “one day you’re in, the next day you’re out”). But there are plenty of do-good designers who are intent on giving back.

While there are constant charity events taking place within the fashion industry, three current initiatives make for excellent examples of fashion that feels good — and hopefully changes lives. Bobbie Thomas, TODAY style editor and author of “The Buzz” for In Touch Weekly, presents three ways that you can get involved by supporting a good cause while you shop.

www.lighthouse.org/posh

Posh purchases
For the 35^th year in a row, fashion icons and top brand name designers are coming together to support Lighthouse International’s POSH sale. Founded in 1905, Lighthouse International is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving vision and to providing critically needed health care services to help people of all ages overcome the challenges of vision loss.

From May 9-13, over 5,000 people will attend the NYC sale, where over 30,000 new and gently used garments and accessories have been donated and marked down up to 80% off the retail price. For those outside of the New York area, a special eBay sale will take place through May 14, featuring 10 selected items such as a Michael Kors cashmere sweater, a Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress and a Pucci halter dress. To bid on an item, search for Lighthouse International on eBay or for information about attending the New York sale, visit www.lighthouse.org/posh.

fortunoff.portero.com Molly Sims bracelet

Charms for charity
In an effort to contribute to numerous causes, Fortunoff has teamed up with Brooke Shields, Eva Longoria, Denise Richards, Hayden Panettiere, Keri Russell, Molly Sims and Petra Nemcova to create celebrity-designed charm bracelets to be auctioned off for charity.

While the bracelets were inspired by and designed for the respective celebrity’s mother in honor of Mother’s Day, Fortunoff has produced a replica of each bracelet, which will be open for the public to bid on from May 6 through May 17. One hundred percent of proceeds from the replicas will be donated to the celebrity’s charity of choice, with causes such as Invisible Children, City of Hope Kidney Cancer Research Program and the Happy Hearts Fund benefiting from this initiative. To bid on an item, visit fortunoff.portero.com.

Sole support
Encouraging customers to literally walk in a celebrity’s shoes for the sake of a good cause, Gap Inc.’s online footwear shop, Piperlime, has arranged a celebrity shoe auction to benefit Soles4Souls, a charity that distributes new and gently-worn footwear to the less fortunate.  From May 3 through May 14, shoes that have been donated from over 30 celebrities including Jessica Simpson, Mischa Barton, Sharon Stone, Mandy Moore, Lucy Liu, Teri Hatcher, Mariska Hargitay, Parker Posey and others will be auctioned off on eBay, with 100% of proceeds going to Soles4Souls. To bid on a pair of celebrity shoes, visit www.ebay.com/piperlime.

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