Designing Minds brings together Canada’s top names in fashion, entertainment, and philanthropy to raise funds for children and youth’s mental health

Over 50 fashion and accessory brands have come together with some of Canada’s most inspirational and notable names in entertainment, business, arts, and philanthropy to raise funds for Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and the New Start Foundation for Addiction and Mental Health through an online auction event, Designing Minds. The online auction will launch on Monday, April 26, and will run until Sunday, May 2, 2021, leading up to Mother’s Day weekend.

All proceeds from the auction will benefit and provide funding for initiatives and programs to support  child and youth mental health initiatives within each organization: Holland Bloorview’s Facing Your Fears program and the New Start Digital Youth Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), which benefits youth across Canada.

 “The COVID-19 pandemic is having a severe impact on the well-being of children and youth—but for children and youth with disabilities, the risk of mental illness is 2 to 3 times more. And with many sources of mental health support—through schools, clinics and behaviour programs—disappearing, many families are turning to us for help,” says Sandra Hawken, CEO and President of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation.

The response from the fashion world has been so overwhelmingly positive and I am thrilled we can showcase our amazing Canadian talent. It’s an incredible opportunity to bring so many different artistic perspectives together to help raise funds for Canadian children and youth who are in desperate need of our support right now.”

Notable names who have each collaborated with one of Canada’s top fashion talents to design and create a limited-edition series of non-medical face masks include:

• Charles Pachter, Canadian artist
• Cindy Sampson, Global’s Private Eyes
• Elena Juatco, CTV’s Jann
• Hina Khan, Peak Performance Coach
• Kat Stefankiewicz, Raptors in-game host
• Laura Dottori Attanasio, Group Head of Personal and Business Banking, CIBC
• Lauren Lee Smith, CBC’s Frankie Drake Mysteries
• Sasha Exeter, influencer
• Suzanne Rogers
• Tamara Bahry, Artist, HART Director
• Tara Spencer Nairn, Corner Gas

Participating Fashion and Jewellery brands include:

Adamar Diamonds, ANASTASSIA SEL Jewelry, Anu Raina, BALESSA, Bathing Belle, CAITLIN POWER, Cat Janiga Jewelry, Catherine Curtis, Chloe Angus Design, Christopher Paunil, Considerate Goods, Corey Moranis, Dandi Maestre, David Dixon, David Dunkley Fine Millinery, Diana Coatsworth Design, e3 Koncept, Eden Phillipa, Erin Tracy Bridal and Fine Jewellery, Fair Trade Jewellery, Flux and Form Jewellery, G. Sherman Jewels, Handsome & Lace, Hello, COUTURE!, JENNY BIRD, Jewels by Alan Anderson, Jordan de Ruiter, Kaela Kay, Leah Alexandra Jewelry, Lesley Hampton, MANI JASSAL, Mayana Geneviere, Miriam Baker, NARCES, Niio Perkins Designs, Omi Woods, Pamela Lauz Jewellery, Peach Berzerk, Penwarden Jewellery, Rebekah Price, Rebellious Clove, Rita Tesolin, Rock ‘N Karma, Rose & Co. Jewellery, RVNG, SALT. Fine Jewellery, Shelli Oh, Stor by Margot, Starkers by Dianna DiNoble, Steven Lejambe, Suzanne Crudden Jewellery, Whyte Couture, and ZOFF.

You can bid on pieces at designingminds.ca as of 8:00 am ET on Monday, April 26, 2021, through until Sunday, May 2, 2021, at 3:00 pm ET. Special designer content, imagery of the pairings, and previews of the limited-edition collaborations will also be previewed on the event’s Instagram page @designing_minds.

Designing Minds has been made possible through the generous sponsorship of CIBC, Rogers Communications, Deloitte, and The Kit. Additional partners to be announced shortly.