Skagen for Community

As a global company, owners Charlotte and Henrik Jorst feel it important to give back to the communities that have helped make the company what it is today after 20 years in business. Below is just a small list of the programs Skagen Designs and its employees have been involved in over the past few years:

National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Reno Chapter

Skagen Designs (Skagen Denmark) is a proud platinum sponsor of the Dancing with our Reno Celebrity Stars event in Reno, NV benefiting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Reno Chapter. The event is March 28th and our own Charlotte Jorst will be competing with her Jive/Jitterbug routine.

Skagen’s support for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Reno Chapter will continue as we donate proceeds from our Spring Warehouse Sale to benefit the research to find a cure for this disease.

Multiple sclerosis (or MS) is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system (CNS), which is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision. The progress, severity, and specific symptoms of MS are unpredictable and vary from one person to another. Today, new treatments and advances in research are giving new hope to people affected by the disease.

St Judes Children’s Hospital

In April 2009 Skagen Designs donated $5000 to the 3rd Annual Design Cares charity fundraising event to benefit the children’s cancer research center. In addition Skagen also gave our VIP table to two lucky St Jude patients and their parents to experience the once in a lifetime opportunity to see such a fantastic runway event. Skagen Denmark timepieces, jewelry and sunglasses were also donated in gift bags in the VIP gifting Suite available to those who donated $500 or more.

St. Jude's offers any child with an illness the opportunity for the greatest health care, and offers state-of-the-art pediatric treatment and research to any family.

Truckee Meadows Community College

Skagen Designs supports higher education and the entrepreneurial spirit and has sponsored the TMCC annual business plan competition. The winners received Skagen watches as part of their prize package and were quite enthralled.

Junior Diabetes Research Foundation

Skagen Designs held its bi-annual Public Sale in December, and a portion of the proceeds were donated to the Junior Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). JDRF is a leader in setting the agenda for diabetes research worldwide, and is the largest charitable contributor and advocate of type 1 research. The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research.

Skagen Denmark Sample Sale in NYC

On Thursday, October 23rd, Skagen Designs will be holding a Sample Sale in the Skagen New York Showroom. Watches, jewelry, sunglasses, leather handbags and cashmere sweaters will be on sale. This is the first time the Skagen Showroom has been open to the public. And in honor of October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a portion of the proceeds of this sale will go to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Awareness foundation.

MoMA

From April - June 2008 Skagen Designs sponsored a special limited exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City called Take your Time: Olafur Eliasson. Contemporary artist Eliasson hails from Denmark, and Skagen owners Charlotte and Henrik Jorst found this to be a great opportunity to align the company in the art world, especially with someone whose work they are fans of. The exhibit featured pieces where he recontextualized elements such as light, water, ice, fog, stone, and moss to create unique situations that shift the viewer's perception of place and self. The exhibit was expected to draw nearly 100,000 visitors each month, opening Danish culture and art to the community and to travelers visiting New York.

KNPB

Skagen Designs donated time and product to the public television station KNPB for their bi-annual fundraiser, Lights! Camera! Auction! Volunteers from Skagen Designs attended the live broadcast and assisted with the auction, while other volunteers took calls for bids on donated Skagen Denmark products.

St. Jude Children's Hospital

In March 2008 Skagen Designs participated in a fund raising event for the children's cancer research center, St. Jude Children's Hospital. Watches and sunglasses were donated in gift bags to attendees who donated $350 or more. St. Jude's offers any child with an illness the opportunity for the greatest health care, and offers state-of-the-art pediatric treatment and research to any family.

Boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadows

Skagen Designs held its bi-annual Public Sale in April, and a portion of the proceeds were donated to the local Boys and Girls Club. Boys & Girls Clubs offer a safe, fun place for children to go after school for recreation, companionship and supervision. Club programs and services promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence.

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

In January 2008 Skagen Designs was privileged to assist a family in need with a donation to the development company responsible for building a brand new home in one week for the show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. The show aired in early February on the television network ABC.

Go Red for Women

Skagen Designs donated product for a fundraiser for Go Red for Women, an American Heart Association campaign that raises funds and awareness for heart disease in women.

Lungs for Legs

Skagen Designs donated product for a fundraiser for the American Lung Association, in alignment with a special fundraiser called Lungs for Legs, to raise funds and awareness for lung cancer and lung disease.