Fuzzy feelings from Armani
NETWORKING is all about the seating plan. Just ask socialite Carolyn Steyn.
Steyn — wife of insurance mogul Douw Steyn — was seated at the same table as a Giorgio Armani executive at the Italian fashion icon’s book launch at the Saxon Hotel in Johannesburg in April.
After chatting to Michele Tacchella, director of the brand’s luxury and fashion division, about her charity 67 Blankets, she this week received a surprise parcel — a king-size Armani blanket made from wool and silk. It came with a note from Giorgio Armani himself, praising Steyn for the work she is doing.
“Please accept this gift as a token of my admiration,” read the note, signed by Armani.
“Your personal commitment in helping the less fortunate in South Africa through the 67 Blankets initiative for Nelson Mandela Day [sic] foundation is commendable.”
Steyn started the initiative after she was challenged by Mandela’s personal assistant, Zelda la Grange, to make 67 blankets for charity ahead of Mandela Day in 2014.
“I took that challenge head-on but after arthritis kicked in I realised I needed help, so I challenged other people to help me,” she said.
“I only made six blankets, but with the help I made it to 67 blankets, but decided to carry on because many others wanted to do this. And we’ve got Mr Mandela’s wife Graça Machel, comedian Trevor Noah, prisoners and many other people just knitting away every day.”
The initiative, which kicked off in January 2014, has received and given out 27 000 blankets to various charities such as the Germiston-based Avril Elizabeth Home, which looks after patients between two and 72 years old.
The home received 150 blankets and Steyn says she hopes to give away more, since she keeps receiving blankets from people who hold knit-athons locally and in the US, India and the UK.
But never did she think she would be acknowledged with “something this beautiful from Mr Armani”.
“I have a closet with various garments from Armani and I love his designer ranges, but this blanket is just amazing,” Steyn said.
“I won’t be giving this one away. [I’m] not sure what I will do with the blanket but I definitely will cherish it forever.” TOUCH OF SILK: Carolyn Steyn with her silk and wool Armani blanket in Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton. Giorgio Armani personally sent her the blanket as a token of appreciation for her charity work