Technology

Nearly 100 Designers Have Banded Together to Help Feed Children

TechnologyMar 17, 2020

Nearly 100 Designers Have Banded Together to Help Feed Children

They’re donating proceeds of sales to the nonprofit No Kid Hungry in light of the coronavirus.

20200317_NoKidHungry-header.jpg
Messaging from the #Linked campaign benefiting No Kid Hungry is shown alongside jewelry from two participating brands, Arman Sarkisyan (left) and Colette.

New York—At a time when many stores are closed and jewelry brands face economic uncertainties due to the coronavirus, a group of designers is focusing on ways to help those most in need.

Currently, 84 jewelry brands—and growing—are donating a portion of their sales to No Kid Hungry, a nonprofit dedicated to providing children and families with three meals a day.

Per the organization’s website, in a time of crisis, its work entails providing emergency grants to food banks and community groups, communicating how families can access meals while schools are closed and lobbying for Congress to pass emergency funds that benefit low-income families.


Melissa Kaye is donating 30 percent of online sales in the month of March to No Kid Hungry. Pictured are her Reversible Lola Needle pendants, with diamonds on one side and enamel on the other.

Each participating brand is advertising on its social media channels, using the hashtag #Linked. 

The idea for the #Linked campaign grew out of a conversation between two fine jewelry publicists, Danielle Gadi, owner of her eponymous public relations firm, and Brielle Forman, associate director at IHPR.

“We were talking and realized we needed to do something,” Gadi told National Jeweler. “We decided that helping children who were going to be affected by all of these school closures was the best place to focus our efforts.”

With IHPR owner Jen Lowitz on board, last Saturday the three introduced the idea to their respective clients.


A customized pendant from Ariel Gordon Jewelry, one of the brands supporting No Kid Hungry.

They left the percentage of proceeds of sales to donate, as well as the donation time frame, up to each brand.

“We didn’t want to set any boundaries,” Lowitz explained. “That tends to keep people from getting on board. The informality of it is what helped people to move so quickly. Without set donation guidelines it just made it easier for people to get involved in any way they could.”

Some designers are donating 15 percent of proceeds, others 30 percent, and for varying time periods, anywhere from a week to the end of the month to when schools reopen in a particular designer’s area.


Pendants from #Linked participant Retrouvai.

Gadi, Forman and Lowitz spread the word about the #Linked campaign to other showrooms, publicists and designers with whom they had relationships and the word began to spread, as

it tends to, via social media.

Adina Reyter, Anita Ko, Ariel Gordon Jewelry, Arman Sarkisyan, Brent Neale, Colette, Dana Bronfman, Irene Neuwirth, Jacquie Aiche, KatKim, Marlo Laz, Melissa Kaye, Michelle Fantaci, Retrouvai, Nouvel Heritage, Santo by Zani and Zoe Chicco are just some of the brands involved.  

“We have the ability to reach out to this incredibly supportive community all at once and it’s a quick way to mobilize people,” said Lowitz of the Instagram snowball effect.

Forman said, “It was a call to action to get people together. I think as more designers started posting other designers would see and reach out to us.”

In a few short days the number of brands participating grew from a handful to nearly 100, truly representing how “linked” the jewelry community is.


Many designers, like Brent Winston of Brent Neale, whose gypsy rings are pictured here, have made personal donations to No Kid Hungry in addition to donating proceeds of sales.

With most people hunkered down at home, #Linked was a project that resonated with designers, just as it hit home for the creators.

“As a parent watching all of this unfold and realizing the uncertainty [caused by coronavirus] for so many parents and kids was what really compelled us to use what we’ve got,” which was relationships and the ability to spread a message, Lowitz said.

Gadi said she worried about the impact of coronavirus on her own clients with children, as well parents all over the world who are without resources like food or childcare.

Focusing on how the jewelry world so easily connects for a good cause has provided some solace in uncertain times for the designers and companies involved.


Nouvel Heritage is one of the 84 brands participating in the #Linked campaign.

Lowitz said, “The upside of this is the jewelry community is so responsive and supportive and it doesn’t feel competitive. Everyone was motivated by one another; there was really no bullshit between PR agencies or brands or showrooms. Everyone wants to get involved.”

Gadi, Forman and Lowitz now face a larger project than they anticipated, as designers continue to jump on board, but are looking forward to sustaining the effort of shopping for good.

“It’s not a one-time thing,” Forman explained. “We’re encouraging designers to keep posting to spread the message.”


Has a Santo by Zani folding pendant been on your jewelry bucket list? Now is the time to buy, when a portion of proceeds benefit No Kid Hungry.

“And if it can help our designers [gain sales] too, then it’s a win/win,” added Lowitz.

The sense of community #Linked is fostering is giving everyone involved hope for the future.  

“Everybody is going to feel isolated,” said Lowitz. “Everyone is going to feel a little bit helpless. This is a connected community and this is a way for people to be able to help.”

“It’s the first time we’re all experiencing the same thing worldwide,” said Gadi. “We’re all in this together.”

Ashley Davisis the senior editor, fashion at National Jeweler, covering all things related to design, style and trends.

The Latest

Pandora distribution facility Canada
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New Canadian Distribution Center Amid Tariff Concerns

The new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.

Michelle Yeoh Mikimoto
TrendsApr 02, 2026
Michelle Yeoh Fronts New Mikimoto Campaign

The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.

GIA President and CEO Pritesh Patel at GIA Taiwan campus
GradingApr 02, 2026
GIA Debuts New Campus in Taiwan

It is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.

GIA iD100®
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

You deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.

DCA Second Spark Workforce Initiative Graphic
MajorsApr 02, 2026
DCA Launches ‘Second Spark’ Workforce Initiative

The initiative connects veterans and parents returning to the workforce with careers in jewelry retail.

Weekly QuizApr 02, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Michael Angelo
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Hoover & Strong Names New National Sales Representative

The wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.

Pandora and Foundrae medallion jewelry
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion Designs

Foundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.

TopImageCrop.jpg
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.

Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.

John Jacob Astor IV's Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co., Battin & Co. pencil case
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to Auction

A Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.

Stock image of a Shell gas station
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in March

The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.

Zach Bear and the Window Necklace Children’s Book from Zachary’s Jewelers
IndependentsApr 01, 2026
Zachary’s Jewelers’ Constance Polamalu to Release Children’s Book

The retailer’s Zach Bear gift comes to life in “Zach Bear and the Window Necklace,” which centers on curiosity, bravery, and helping.

Accredited Gemologists Association Logo
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2026
AGA Opens 2026 Gemological Scholarship, Research Grant Applications

Applications are open for the AGA Gemological Scholarship Program through May 15, and until June 2027 for the Gemological Research Grant.

National Jeweler columnist and Smart Age founder and CEO Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading

These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

Mejuri Puzzle Collection Campaign Imagery
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ Collection

Mejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.

Ashley Longshore in Buddha Mama jewelry
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in Dallas

The Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.

Natural Diamond Council world diamond day
SourcingMar 31, 2026
NDC Designates April 8 as 'World Diamond Day'

The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.

Jillian Wolk, the new CEO of Tracr
SourcingMar 31, 2026
GIA VP Jillian Wolk to Take Over at Tracr

Wolk’s first day on the job as CEO of Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform, will be May 1.

Tom Moses examining the “Motswedi” diamond
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA

Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.

Oscar Heyman Spring Catalog Aquamarine and Diamond Necklace and Platinum Opal, Sapphire, Emerald, Diamond Bracelet
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring Catalog

The new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.

Diavik Diamond Mine winter aerial shot
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from Diavik

Production has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.

Tanishq Westborough Massachusetts store
MajorsMar 30, 2026
Tanishq Opens First New England Location

The store opening marks the 10th United States location for the India-based jewelry retailer.

Saks Fifth Avenue door sign
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 Stores

Two Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.

Jimmy West celebrating 40 years with Leading Jewelers Guild
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72

West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.

Itä Yari Whirl Ring Tesoro
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the Story

In the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.

Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th Anniversary

Cohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.

Peter Smith Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople
IndependentsMar 26, 2026
Peter Smith Pens Book on Human Behavior in Sales

“Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople" reveals the underlying human traits and behaviors of the most successful sales professionals.

Lionheart Cassandane Collection Campaign
CollectionsMar 26, 2026
Lionheart Celebrates 13 Years of ‘Cassandane’

The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy