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Bottletop in 2009....
Bottletop was very busy in 2009!
Having expanded our collection of ring-pull bags and the number of people making them to 42 in Brazil, we are having a serious impact on the ground and generating incomes for people in a very poor neighbourhood. The center has been kitted out and they even have wireless internet there now! We had to wrestle to keep up with the Christmas orders, which went through the roof, and we are now experimenting with new designs/production techniques and looking forward to some interesting fashion projects and in 2010.
Our five education projects are pushing forward with steady progress being made through mobile video shows, youth newspapers, drama and peer education in Brazil, Rwanda, Malawi and the UK. Look out for our newsletters for more info on the work being done on the ground.
Fundraising in a recession is never easy, so we decided to to raise our game and be more creative. We staged our first major London fundraiser, where we assembled a collection of contemporary art by leading figureheads including Rachel Whiteread and The Chapman Brothers alongside Brazilian artists The Campana Brothers and African artist, Hassan Hajjaj. We even had a beautiful work by the amazing Richard Wright who won this years Turner Prize. The auction of this art along with other unique experiences generated over £40,000 for Bottletop.
We also staged an event on familiar turf in Somerset, where we put together a dance based event with a unique show choreographed by the legendary Richard Marcel. Spanning Fred & Ginger through ballroom and finishing with a nod to Michael Jackson it was an incredible evening set in 40's Hollywood theme and generating over £14,000 for Bottletop.
The wheels are still in motion with our all star Bottletop Band record and we are looking forward to unleashing this on you all in 2010!
Thanks to you all for your generosity and support in 2009 and we look forward to seeing you in next year...
Happy Christmas and New Year!!
Love Bottletop.x