Gabriela Hearst Launches Luxury Sweater Worth $50,000 To Planned Parenthood

Designer Gabriela Hearst is standing with Planned Parenthood, launching pre-sales on a merino wool sweater intarsia'd that unifies a ram's head and ovaries. Vogue explains that Hearst originally conceived the sweater as her entry into the Woolmark Prize competition, which took place in Paris on January 21, the same day as global Women's Marches. Note that Hearst won the prize. 

Hearst developed her Planned Parenthood support strategy when she realized the outline of a ram's head looks remarkably similar to a woman's reproductive system. “I liked that they’re both symbols of strength,” Hearst said.

“Planned Parenthood right now needs all the help it can get, and all the attention it can get,” Hearst told Vogue. For me, it’s not only about my body my choice, it’s about our overall health. They take care of our cancer screenings. They take care of so many things. And when the government is making a direct attack on women’s health… first of all, it’s appalling. And we have to do something.”

$500 of each $699 sweater will go to Planned Parenthood, and Hearst is making 100 of them. “That’s $50,000,” she underscores, with a plea for women of financial means to get out their wallets.

Hearst’s relationship with the organization is not a new one. She’s designing a dress for Cecile Richards, Planned Parenthood’s President, for next month’s CFDA Awards, where Richards will be honored with the Board of Directors’ Tribute alongside Gloria Steinem and Janelle Monae.

I've been in the fashion industry for decades and have never seen us all so mobilized on any issue. Supporting progressive causes is implanted in our brains, but the Trump administration's assault on women's rights and Planned Parenthood is a new chapter for us all. ~ Anne