Local celebrities bare all to raise awareness for their chosen charities in Marie Claire magazine’s 2017 ‘Naked’ issue.
The ‘Naked’ issue is synonymous with Marie Claire and is a strong brand asset. Although it is a heritage project, it has timeless appeal. It is daring, provocative and body-positive, which are qualities that are so intrinsically Marie Claire.
“This year, the issue is concealed in an eye-catching gold bag – the process of unwrapping it to unveil the beautiful cover and what lies within the magazine is part of the delight. The intriguing and innovative visual appeal of this issue will disrupt the newsstands and is an inventive approach not seen before locally,” says Associated Media Group CEO, Julia Raphaely.
“Previously the campaign was published in Marie Claire’s March editions, but this year we chose to roll it out in our July issue, to coincide with Mandela Day, because the message behind Mandela Day is simple: ‘everyone has the ability and the responsibility to change the world for the better’,” says Raphaely.
“This year Marie Claire took a slightly different approach to previous years – in the past, the entire campaign was dedicated to one charity, in 2017 our celebrities are each supporting a single charity or cause – something close to their heart, that they feel strongly about, whether it be education, LGBT rights, animal welfare or women’s rights,” comments Marie Claire Features Editor Lynette Botha.
Celebrities who bare all include DJ Fikile Moeti, radio host Thando Thabethe, TV star K Naomi Noinyane, actors Nomzamo Mbatha, Nicole Fortuin and Omuhle Gela, models Sanele Xaba and Rosette Ncwana, performer Moonchild Sanelly, radio and TV personality Bailey Schneider, chefs Giles Edwards, Ash Heeger and Eric Bulpitt, digital entrepreneur Yoliswa Mqoco, artist Lady Skollie, fashion designers Lukhanyo Mdingi and Nicholas Coutts, tastemaker Seth Shezi, and trail runner Ryan Sandes.
As to why it is important for celebs to get naked for their individual chosen causes Botha says that as society, we look up to celebrities, influencers, sports people and the like, “it’s important for them to use their clout to alert people to social causes and how they can help. There are so many issues we face in South Africa, and by highlighting individual causes and charities this maximises the reach and impact of the campaign,” she adds.
For the first time this year, Marie Claire is holding an auction of the celebrity portraits, and all proceeds will go to the celebs’ various charities. The exclusive event will be held at Melrose Gallery in Johannesburg on Thursday, 13 July 2017.
Commenting on why Marie Claire’s annual Naked project is so important, Botha says: “It is important for all of us to do our bit, in any way that we can – not only to be activists on social media, but to actually get out there and do things that make a difference. Whether that be donating money or time, or actively campaigning for change.”
To make it easier for everyone to donate, the public can go on to the Marie Claire website (marieclaire.co.za), select their chosen celebrity and cause, and use SnapScan to make a donation right there and then.
Join the conversation on Twitter #MCNAKED2017 or go to marieclaire.co.za to find out why each celebrity selected the charities that they did.
