The Michigan AIDS Coalition asked 100 people to decorate a denim jacket that would be auctioned to raise money for their cause. In the last blog, ““Denim Jackets Can Help Save Lives”“:p-4957 we covered the main points behind this project, but here’s a bit more behind the scenes information on Project Denim Jacket.

Zappos is trying to be more creative in the ways we give back and we thought this was a perfect project. Creative Services was the first to answer this call and they decided that instead of ruining the jacket they would donate it to a homeless shelter so someone in need could use it.

Like most things done within Zappos, they Executed this project with the Ten Core Values in mind. Core value #10, Be Humble . Instead of bedazzling the jacket with Zappos accessories they decided to put the coat to good use. Also, the team didn’t just walk into the shelter with a denim jacket in hand, they all brought some of their own clothing to donate to the shelter – which is core value #7 , Build a Positive Team and Family Spirit. Then, to represent Zappos in the challenge John F. made a replica of the denim jacket out of Zappos boxes – core value #8 Do More With Less.

The CS Team took the photos you see here and attached them to the inside of the cardboard jacket. So hopefully they will be able to auction it for a lot o’ money to go towards fighting AIDS. And I guess that would be core value #1 Deliver WOW Through Service.

If you or your department have any interest in helping with future projects, please let Jamie N. or Melissa R. know.

And a very special thanks to John F. and Sean C. for their help!

The development director for the Michigan AIDS Coalition in Metro Detroit is hosting a new event at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit on April 25, 2009 called Design for Life: Denim.

One of the sponsors for the event, Carhartt, donated 100 denim jackets and gave them to 100 different companies from a variety of trades (architects, auto workers, hair stylists, chefs, national artists, politicians, etc.) in order to create a piece of art out of these jackets.

The rules are, there are no rules, no guidelines, the end result can be wearable or non wearable – anything goes.

So, with that in mind, there was an infinite amount of things that we could have done with the jacket – and after we turned down the idea of bedazzling and beading it – John F. and Jamie N. came up with the brilliant idea of giving the jacket to charity and making a denim jacket replica out of Zappos boxes that we had lying around the office.

John, your talent and creativity never ceases to amaze all of us. I’m sure someone will be happy to bid on this piece of art at the silent auction.