Making up for the sake of the animals

14th September 2009

Auckland cosmetics entrepreneur Phoenix Renata has joined with a group of make-up artists to create a 2010 calendar to raise money for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (the SPCA).

Inspiration for the calendar is make-up artistry at its finest. It showcases a diverse array of beauty fashion portraits with themes ranging from a Pre-Raphaelite goddess, to a 1920's Clara Bow "It" Girl to a Marilyn Monroe bombshell.

Those who donated their time to the project include Beauty Bible editor Je'tamie Hayr, drag queens Buffy and Bimbo (also known as the Fabulous Make-over Girls), actress Katherine Kennard, TV personalities Katy Thomas, Jo Holley and Jessie Gurunathan, as well as Rohini Jay, Rebecca Connor, Natalie Roum, Evana Patterson and Natalia Par.

The calendars go on sale from October 21 through Trade Me, from Phoenix Cosmetics' Stores in Kingsland and Takapuna, at the Phoenix Cosmetics online store and through the SPCA.

Everyone who worked on the calendar donated their time and services for free and all the proceeds from the calendar go towards the SPCA.

SPCA marketing manager Martin Mackenzie says the society is delighted.

"Many of the animals who arrive at the SPCA have been neglected, physically abused or
abandoned by their owners, and the cost of rescuing, treating and rehabilitating them is simply enormous.''

The SPCA encourages the humane treatment of all animals and works to prevent cruelty. Every year the Auckland SPCA cares for over 15,000 animals by providing, shelter, care and attention.

Says Martin: "The SPCA receives no local or central government funding and relies on the generosity of the community, and its people and businesses such as Phoenix and her team to ensure that the SPCA can continue to speak and act for these who can't speak for themselves.''

Phoenix Cosmetics is an Auckland-based cosmetics company with beauty stores in Kingsland and Takapuna.

Also supporting the project are: Leaflets, Paul Blomfield PR, AUT's St Paul Street Gallery, Anna Stretton, WigFx, Unitech, RitaSue, Diamond Dance Girls and Jessica Bridal.

The calendar will be launched on Tuesday, October 20 at AUT's St Paul Street Gallery
alongside an exhibition of photographs by Ma'an Adbul-Hafeedh taken during the calendar's shoots.

Guests at the launch will have the opportunity to purchase the calendar, and also a series of limited edition photographs taken during the calendar shoots.

For more info, go to: www.spca.org.nz or www.phoenixcosmetics.com