Renata Mutis Black has long had a vision: To help others help themselves. Moving to Colombia as a teenager, Renata was exposed to her first glimpse of extreme poverty. She recalls, “Across the mountain there was a very poor area where people lived in cardboard houses that would wash away in heavy rains.” Witnessing such poverty and loss at a young age motivated her to one day do something to make a positive impact in the lives of the poor. Renata’s business savvy, combined with her philanthropic focus, led her to the creation of Lingerie Miami, a “social brand” that combines charitable aims with a solid business plan. Lingerie Miami, a couture runway show highlighting the most exclusive lingerie designers, mixes the glamour and exclusivity of high fashion with a very important charitable focus—empowerment of women through microfinance loans. The fashion show, taking place at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens on February 7, features such designers as Agent Provacateur, Fifi Chachnil, and Carine Gilson. As she states, “Appreciation for lingerie in Europe is very deep, and I knew this appreciation would translate very well into the United States.” Future events in New York, Paris, and London are already being planned. When asked about the innovative idea of combining lingerie with microfinance, Renata explains, “Since the lingerie industry is fueled primarily by women; Lingerie Miami’s approach is to combine a female-focused industry and use it to empower disadvantaged women globally.” Proceeds from Lingerie Miami benefit microfinance organizations in seven countries, including the United States.
Microfinance, a poverty alleviating tool that has empowered millions of people around the world, practices the principle of “Give someone a fish, feed them for a day. Teach someone to fish, feed them for a lifetime.” The premise behind it is simple: a small loan, paid back with interest, combined with teaching simple business skills, provides the tools needed for individuals to start their own small businesses. Microfinance organizations worldwide provide millions of impoverished women with just that, along with the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty for themselves and their families. Renata’s financial goal is to raise between $70,000-$100,000 for each of the seven countries that her organization will help and provide the funds directly to established microfinance organizations in these countries.

Images courtesy of Lingerie Miami

For more information visit, www.lingeriemiami.org