In support of the Obama Foundation’s Girls Opportunity Alliance, iconic luxury department store Saks Fifth Avenue celebrated the launch of their holiday campaign with an unveiling of their ten-story-tall theatrical light show and window display at their New York flagship location. The celebration featured an appearance of the founder of the Girls Opportunity Alliance herself,  former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama, along with a performance by the Young People’s Chorus of New York City.

Founded in 2018, the Girls Opportunity Alliance aims to empower young girls globally through education, allowing them to achieve full potential. Saks Fifth Avenue is donating $1 million to the foundation, as well as featuring a myriad of experiences catered to highlighting the program including but not limited to a curated multi-vendor merchandise collection and a digital campaign featuring special content throughout the holiday season.

“In the spirit of holiday giving, Saks is making a generous donation that will help so many adolescent girls all over the world,” said Michelle Obama. “This contribution to the Girls Opportunity Alliance will help these girls to reach their full potential—and that’s especially important as the pandemic continues to threaten their education, which would set us all back in the years and decades ahead. I’m excited to see the impact of this wonderful gift from Saks and how it can help support the work of the Girls Opportunity Alliance around the world.”

Merchandise from the collection includes women’s and men’s ready-to-wear, accessories, kids, home and beauty items from some of our favorite brands such as NEST, Jason Wu, Oscar de la Renta, Christopher John Rogers and more.  Three girls from the Girls Opportunity Alliance will also get a career shadowing experience on what it’s like to work at and operate a luxury ecommerce platform.

The holiday window installation featuring the Girls Opportunity Alliance is presented by Mastercard and follows the theme of familial reconnection during the holiday season. It is located on 49th Street at the Saks Fifth Avenue New York flagship, on display now through the end of December. It will also be livestreamed Tuesday, November 23rd at 7 P.M. EST.