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Toast the season with an Armani mug – and raise funds for the UN refugee agency

Toast the season with an Armani mug – and raise funds for the UN refugee agency

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Legendary Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani is toasting a better future for refugees this festive season with a limited edition of a sleek mug sporting the Chinese character for hope, which he has created to help support the work of the United Nations refugee agency.

For every Armani mug sold, part of the income will go towards the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) global work to aid more than 20 million refugees and other people of concern around the world.

The mug, inspired by a trip to Shanghai by Mr. Armani, a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, is available this month in stores around the United Kingdom and Italy as well as through online vendors, and will soon be available in the United States and Australia.

“UNHCR is extremely grateful that Giorgio Armani and our other steadfast Goodwill Ambassadors are keeping the needs of refugees in mind,” the agency’s director of external relations Nick Van Praag said.

“UNHCR is almost entirely dependent upon voluntary contributions to provide vital support to millions of refugees under our care, so every donation, such as through the purchase of these beautiful mugs, will help refugees,” he added.

Mr. Armani has worked with the UN refugee agency on a number of activities since becoming a goodwill ambassador in 2004. He and his acclaimed fashion company have made significant contributions to UNHCR’s public awareness and fund-raising efforts for refugees, particularly during emergencies.