Designing Minds announces designer collaborations for their online auction to raise funds for children and youth’s mental health initiatives - @HBKidsHospital @designing__minds @newstart

Designing Minds announces designer collaborations for their online auction to raise funds for children and youth’s mental health initiatives

Over 40 notable names in fashion, arts, entertainment, sports, and business have collaborated to raise funds for Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and New Start Foundation for Addiction and Mental Health

The launch date for the greatly anticipated online auction Designing Minds is fast approaching, with less than a week to go before the bidding starts. Today, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and New Start Foundation for Addiction and Mental Health proudly announce the full lineup of designer collaborations and provide media with a preview of some of the exclusive items which will be available to bid on once the event launches to the public on Monday, April 26, 2021, at designingminds.ca.

Jordan de Ruiter and Cat Janiga Jewellery pairing

Over 40 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 New Start Foundation for Addiction and Mental Health through an online auction event, Designing Minds.

Dorian Who and Rebekah Price pairing

The online auction will launch on Monday, April 26, and will run until Sunday, May 2, 2021, leading up to Mother’s Day weekend.

“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," says Sandra Hawken, CEO, and President of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, "With many sources of mental health support—through schools, clinics, and behaviour programs—disappearing, many families are turning to us for help.”

“In January 2020, Children’s Mental Health Ontario (CMHO) reported that over 28,000 youth were waiting for mental health services and specialized resources, with some waiting up to 2.5 years. Due to stay-at-home orders, we’ve only seen these statistics increase,” says Kalandra Roach, Event Director, Kalandra Roach Events and Acting Executive Director, New Start Foundation. “I created Designing Minds, an event hosted in partnership with Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and New Start Foundation, because traditional fundraising events aren’t able to take place right now, but programs supporting child and youth mental health are essential and need funding to continue to operate."

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.

Sasha Exeter x Christopher Paunil matching adult and children's limited-edition face masks

Notable names generously donated their time and collaborated with one of Canada’s top fashion talents to create a limited-edition series of non-medical face masks include:

Cindy Sampson, Global’s Private Eyes x Nadia Lloyd
Elena Juatco, CTV’s Jann x Whyte Couture
Hina Khan, Peak Performance Coach x Shelli Oh
Kat Stefankiewicz, Raptors in-game host x Considerate Goods
Laura Dottori Attanasio, CIBC x Chloe Angus Design
Lauren Lee Smith, CBC's Frankie Drake Mysteries x Mayana Geneviere
Sasha Exeter, influencer x Christopher Paunil
Suzanne Rogers x David Dunkley Fine Millinery
Tamara Bahry, Artist, HART Director x BALESSA
Tara Spencer Nairn, Corner Gas x NARCES

Chloe Angus Design and Niio Perkins Designs pairing

Jewellery and fashion brands collaborated together to create a unique pairing of jewellery and specially created face masks to be auction off together. The pairings are as follows:

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

ANASTASSIA SEL Jewellery and Lesley Hampton pairing

Additional limited runs and exclusive designs will also be available as "Buy Now" items from Anu Raina, CAITLIN POWER, and Rock 'N Karma.

Members of the public 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 Inc, Deloitte, and The Kit. Additional partners to be announced shortly.