The videos in this series document people with incredible levels of passion; people we admire; and who share thoughtful ideas about life, the pursuit of their dreams and the challenges to become Citizens of Humanity.
The people selected to participate in Just Like You represent a select group of innovators from a diverse range of backgrounds and interests—but who are connected by their abilities to overcome obstacles and learn life lessons along the way. From designers to athletes, chefs to artists, these people pursued their dreams in spite of the challenges and have become highly respected in their fields.
Legendary ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov and Citizens of Humanity founder Jerome Dahan are the first two subjects in the series, and new videos will be released each month.
“As the company’s name suggests, our mission is to showcase the energy and passion of creative individuals,” Dahan says. “This film series has provided me with the opportunity to honor people who inspire me, and it is my hope that this series will also inspire others.”
Helping others is a core value of Citizens of Humanity and this series provides us the opportunity to broaden our reach and support more causes around the world. In exchange for participating in this series, each person who is profiled creates a limited edition T-shirt with Citizens of Humanity, and all proceeds are donated to the charity of their choice.
It is our aim that this series inspires people to pursue their dreams, supports others, and reminds us that we are all Citizens of Humanity.
Overview
JEROME DAHAN
Jerome Dahan founded Citizens of Humanity in 2003, and the brand has captivated the fashion world with a rigorous commitment to cutting-edge denim styling, comfort and fit without compromise. With over 25 years of experience in the denim industry, Jerome Dahan, is a true visionary and the first to bring the concept of luxury designer denim to the global marketplace.
Remaining true to his roots, the brand reflects a relaxed confidence and contemporary style, inspired by the people and places that most influenced Dahan—from pop culture icons such as Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg during his youth in Paris to street art and California beach culture in his more recent years—giving the brand a spirit that is unique only to Citizens of Humanity.
Citizens of Humanity designs, markets and produces more than one million pairs of jeans annually, and is distributed in over 1300 retailers in more than 35 countries.
JEROME DAHAN X CITIZENS OF HUMANITY LIMITED-EDITION TEE
ABOUT THIS TEE
All proceeds from the Jerome Dahan x Citizens of Humanity Tee will benefit le Château de Vaucelles, the children’s home where Dahan grew up. The mission of le Château de Vaucelles is rooted in the idea of filling in a parental or family void. Their actions are an attempt to relieve the impossibilities that come with dysfunctional family structures or circumstances. The objective of this organization is to prepare the children and adolescents who have been entrusted to them for the reality of life and to develop in them an ability to live to their fullest potential. Le Château de Vaucelles is managed by Oeuvre De Secours Aux Enfants (OSE), an organization that supports children and young people in difficulty.
MIKHAIL BARYSHNIKOV
Mikhail Baryshnikov, a native of Riga, Latvia, was born in 1948 and began studying ballet at the age of nine. As a teenager, he entered the Vaganova Academy in Leningrad, graduating from student to principal dancer of the Kirov Ballet in 1969. In 1974, he left the Soviet Union to dance with major ballet companies around the world including the New York City Ballet where he worked with George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins. In 1980 he began a 10-year tenure as Artistic Director of American Ballet Theatre, nurturing a new generation of dancers and choreographers.
From 1990 to 2002, Mr. Baryshnikov was director and dancer with the White Oak Dance Project, which he co-founded with choreographer Mark Morris. White Oak was born of Baryshnikov’s desire “to be a driving force in the production of art,” and, indeed, it expanded the repertoire and visibility of American modern dance.
In 2005, he opened the Baryshnikov Arts Center (BAC), a creative home for local and international artists to develop and present work. Since its founding, the Center has hosted numerous artists and productions from the United States and abroad.
Among Mr. Baryshnikov’s many awards are the Kennedy Center Honors, the National Medal of Honor, the Commonwealth Award, the Chubb Fellowship, the Jerome Robbins Award, the NYC Dance Alliance Foundation’s Ambassador for the Arts Award, and the 2012 Vilcek Award. In 2010, he was given the rank of Officer of the French Legion of Honor.
MIKHAIL BARYSHNIKOV X CITIZENS OF HUMANITY LIMITED-EDITION TEE
ABOUT THIS TEE
All proceeds from the Mikhail Baryshnikov x Citizens of Humanity Tee will benefit the Baryshnikov Arts Center (BAC). BAC is the realization of a long-held vision by Mikhail Baryshnikov, who sought to build an arts center in New York City that would serve as a gathering place for artists from all disciplines. BAC’s opening in 2005 heralded the launch of this mission, establishing a thriving creative space for artists from around the world. Located in the Hudson Yards neighborhood of Manhattan, BAC comprises a total of 20,000 square feet, including the 238-seat Jerome Robbins Theater, which opened in 2010; the Howard Gilman Performance Space, a black box performance space seating 136 people; four column-free studios; and office space. BAC serves approximately 500 artists and more than 22,000 audience members annually through presentations and artist residencies.
HELENE DARROZE
Hélène Darroze hails from a long line of chefs. Her great grandfather was a patissier, and her great grandmother was a cook. She works with exceptional ingredients to create a cuisine that expresses the authentic flavors of her native Landes in South West France, and a savoir faire learnt from her culinary family since early childhood. This has remained the foundation of her cooking philosophy and she continues to be inspired by her roots with her menus offering regional and seasonal delicacies.
Hélène had a very prestigious start into the culinary arena when, in 1990 she worked as the right hand woman for Alain Ducasse when he had just gained his third star for the Louis XV restaurant in Monte Carlo. She then went on to run her family’s Villeneuve-de-Marsan restaurant before opening her own establishment, Hélène Darroze, in Paris in 1999. In 2001, she won her first Michelin star achieving her second star in 2003.
In July 2008, The Connaught announced the opening of Hélène Darroze at The Connaught.
HELENE DARROZE X CITIZENS OF HUMANITY LIMITED-EDITION OVEN MITT
ABOUT THIS MITT
All proceeds from the Hélène Darroze x Citizens of Humanity Oven Mitt will benefit Afghanistan Libre. Afghanistan Libre provides assistance in constructing and running primary and secondary schools for girls. Since 2002, Afghanistan Libre has concentrated its efforts in assisting three public schools, and also provides assistance to five other public education establishments with an intention to meet their urgent needs, be it a necessity to dig a well or supply educational material. Afghanistan Libre’s aim is to make a school a sanctuary for Afghan women and girls. Therefore, Afghanistan Libre integrates other structures, such as health education centers and kindergartens, into the realm of a school as well as supports different pupils’ initiatives such as students’ magazines.
RICKSON GRACIE
Rickson, third son of Helio Gracie, was born into Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. At six years old he began competing, at 15 he started to teach the art, and at eighteen he received his black belt.
Rickson is a red and black belt whose technique many consider to be the finest expression of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in the world. His innate talent and early mastery of the sport have resulted in an impeccable undefeated record in more than 400 fights, including Jiu-Jitsu tournaments, free-style wrestling, Sambo, open weight free-style competitions, and no-holds-barred challenge matches and recreational sparring. Rickson is a two-time Brazilian Champion in free-style wrestling, a Gold Medal Winner in Sambo, and for almost two decades he has been the middle-heavyweight and open weight division World Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Champion.
Rickson has proven himself to be as accomplished a teacher as he is a competitor. He has been teaching his family’s martial arts style for over 40 years and his array of students have included FBI Agents, SWAT Teams, Navy Seals, military personnel, martial artists of various styles and athletes.
RICKSON GRACIE X CITIZENS OF HUMANITY LIMITED-EDITION TEE
ABOUT THIS TEE
All proceeds from the Rickson Gracie x Citizens of Humanity Tee will benefit the Rockson Gracie Foundation. The Rockson Gracie Foundation was created in 2011, in memory of Rockson, grandson of Helio Gracie, the founder of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Rockson, a champion like his father, Rickson, was a beloved member of a pioneering family. The non-profit organization honors Rockson by bringing Jiu-Jitsu to disadvantaged boys and girls. By offering after school programs and training scholarships, the Rockson Gracie Foundation helps underprivileged kids find sanctuary in their Jiu-Jitsu academy: a life long community where students grow to become teachers and role models for future generations.
MARK MAHONEY
Mark Mahoney is a Los Angeles-based tattoo artist, considered the "founding father" of black-and-grey tattoos with a single needle. He currently owns and is the principal artist at the Shamrock Social Club on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, CA. Mahoney started his work as a tattoo artist in Boston in 1977 (when tattooing there was illegal), in the midst of the 1970s punk scene. He has stayed relevant and influential in the tattoo world ever since. He was a pivotal force during the 1980s black-and-grey movement, and has tattooed some of Hollywood's biggest names.
MARK MAHONEY X CITIZENS OF HUMANITY LIMITED-EDITION TEE
ABOUT THIS TEE
All proceeds from the Mark Mahoney x Citizens of Humanity Tee will benefit Homeboy Industries. Homeboy Industries helps formerly gang involved and the recently incarcerated, by offering hope, training and job skills. Its goal is to help former gang members redirect their lives and become contributing members of society. The program was started by Father Greg Boyle in 1988 to answer the need for employment opportunities among youth, and has become the largest gang intervention program in the nation and a model for other organizations and cities. Today, there are seven social enterprises—Homeboy Bakery, Homeboy Silkscreen & Embroidery, Homegirl Café & Catering, Homeboy/girl Merchandise, Homeboy Farmers Markets, Homeboy Diner at Los Angeles City Hall and Homeboy Grocery.
MICHEL ROSTANG
Michel Rostang is an internationally renowned French chef and owner of several gourmet restaurants, including restaurant Michel Rostang, for which he has earned two Michelin stars. Rostang is known as a grand chef of home cooking, a master of provincial cuisine, pairing the robust with the delicate, marrying regional cuisine to metropolitan creativity. Rostang comes from a family of chefs—he is the son of chef Jo Rostang of La Bonne Auberge in Antibes, which earned three Michelin stars. Family continues to be important to him, and he considers his business model a “family model.” He and his daughters, Sophie and Caoline, collaborated on a cookbook, Rostang Pere & Filles, which includes more than 60 recipes.
MICHEL ROSTANG X CITIZENS OF HUMANITY LIMITED-EDITION APRON
ABOUT THIS APRON
All proceeds from the Michel Rostang x Citizens of Humanity Apron will benefit La Bonne Etoile. La Bonne Etoile is a non-profit organization created by Hélène Darroze, Laeticia Hallyday and Caroline Rostang. These three women have a strong affection for Vietnam, as they have each adopted children from this country. Because of this, they have decided to help abandoned children and young adults who suffer from illnesses and physical handicaps. By their efforts, they hope to bring these orphaned and otherwise abandoned children to a better standard of living by giving them access to general care and treatment, education, and preparation for a career in a secure environment. In brief, these women hope to give each child the ability to be integrated in Vietnamese society with a hope for their future.
COLLEEN ATWOOD
Colleen Atwood grew up in Washington State, and eventually ventured into the world of costume design for film and theater. She designed for film division of Saturday Night Live, and designed her first film Firstborn in 1984, directed by Michael Apted. Joe Vs the Volcano brought Atwood to Los Angeles. During this time, Atwood was introduced to Tim Burton and was hired to design Edward Scissorhands. She has continued to collaborate with Burton on nine films over the last two decades including Ed Wood, Big Fish, Mars Attacks, and Planet of the Apes. After meeting with Rob Marshall in 2001, Atwood was given a chance to design her first musical film Chicago, which had been a long time dream of hers. Atwood has been nominated for 10 Academy Awards, and won Oscars for three of those films: Chicago, Memoirs of a Geisha, and Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland. She also has six Costume Designers Guild Awards, including a lifetime achievement award and 3 BAFTA awards for Costume Design.
COLLEEN ATWOOD X CITIZENS OF HUMANITY LIMITED-EDITION TEE
ABOUT THIS TEE
All proceeds from the Colleen Atwood x Citizens of Humanity Tee will benefit the Art of Elysium. Founded in 1997, the Art of Elysium is a non-profit organization that encourages working actors, artists and musicians to voluntarily dedicate their time and talent to children who are battling serious medical conditions. It provides artistic workshops in the following disciplines: acting, art, comedy, fashion, music, radio, songwriting and creative writing.
MAURIZIO DONADI
Maurizio Donadi is co-founder and chief creative officer of Conduit Creative Office, a strategic and creative studio based in Santa Monica, CA. By connecting inspiration and enterprise to bring brand stories to life, his expertise ranges from global brand strategy and development, apparel and environment design to creative services and global distribution strategy. Together with strategic partner Bedrock Manufacturing, Donadi leads a division named Bedrock Creative Office (BCO). BCO provides integrated brand management from business strategy and brand development to creative direction, sales and distribution. Bedrock Manufacturing, Co. is a manufacturing and strategic development company with a portfolio of American brands including Shiniola and Filson.
MAURIZIO DONADI X CITIZENS OF HUMANITY LIMITED-EDITION SCARF
ABOUT THIS SCARF
All proceeds from the Maurizio Donadi x Citizens of Humanity Scarf will benefit American Public Media. American Public Media is the largest owner and operator of public radio stations and a premier producer and distributor of public radio programming in the nation. It is also the largest producer and distributor of classical music programming in the United States. Its portfolio is listened to by over 17 million people each week that includes the BBC World Service, A Prairie Home Companion, Marketplace, Performance Today, The Splendid Table, On Being, and American RadioWorks.
