Billabong's Fashion-Music-Charity Event Lights Up Hollywood For A Good Cause

Last night in Hollywood, stars of the surf world came out to support Billabong’s 3rd Annual Design for Humanity charity party. The event brought together elements of fashion, art, and music to help generate a sizeable donation for nonprofit organization charity: water (Check out their Web site), as well as an excuse to throw a great party.

Held at the Avalon and Bardot nightclub in Hollywood, California, guests were able to bid on swimsuits and art pieces as part of a silent auction. Celebrities got in on the bikini design process with actress Olivia Thirlby (Juno, The Wackness) and Katie White of electro-pop duo The Ting Tings creating their perfect swimsuits. Many of the artists and swimsuit design collaborators were in attendance, encouraging bidding and mingling.

The silent auction as well as ticket sales raised money for charity: water, who exhibited photography of the places in the world that were most in need of water. One in six (or one billion) people do not have access to safe drinking water, and the goal of the night was to bring clean drinking water to some of those people. Guests were invited to pose for pictures holding the Jerry can, marked “gasoline”, that developing nations use as containers for up to 40 lbs of water. Millions of people walk up to three hours per day with these cans to fetch water for their families, only to be made sick by its contents upon consumption.

The first event of the evening was the Billabong runway fashion show, featuring the host’s latest swimwear, including sleek and trendy designs one wouldn’t normally expect from a classic surf brand. There was something for everyone, from teeny bikinis to bodysuits that didn’t appear to be intended for water. Music was provided by DJ Franki Chan, and the energy level was so high that even the event staff couldn’t help but bust a move.

Immediately after the runway show, guests were treated to a performance by indie rockers Iglu and Hartly, who entertained with their unmistakable brand of high-energy pop (T-shirts optional). At about 11:00 p.m., crowd-pleasers The Airborne Toxic Event took the stage to perform rousing renditions of their catalog, including current radio hit “Sometime Around Midnight”. Both performances were highlights in an already stellar evening.

The Misshapes played next, and Leigh Lezark and company appeared looking typically stylish. Other attendees included socialite Cory Kennedy (who collaborated with the event last year, creating T-shirts and swimsuits), Incubus singer Brandon Boyd, and musicians Butch Walker and Chairlift. Among the pro surfers, Dane Reynolds, Dane Ward, Keala Kennelly, and Sanoe Lake were all spotted enjoying the atmosphere.

Around 2:00 a.m., Design For Humanity 2009 wound down and saw the auctions reaching hundreds of dollars a piece, which, in today’s economy, is a great testament to man’s compassion for his fellow man.