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Feb 11 2012 02:30 PM ET

Exclusive Photo: See Toni Braxton’s Custom ‘Sock Dress’

Toni Braxton Shoe Dress
Courtesy SheKnows.com

So that’s what’s happened to all our lost socks! On Friday night at New York Fashion Week, Toni Braxton helped unveil a custom dress made entirely of socks, designed by Project Runway All Stars’ Michael Costello. The gown is the centerpiece of the “SheKnows Where the Other Sock Went” campaign, an initiative from SheKnows.com to raise money for charity.

“When SheKnows called me … I was all over it,” Costello says. “I love a challenge, and I just thought it was something that could be totally cool.”

Using more than 700 single socks, Costello created a one-shoulder gown for Braxton, which she debuted at Friday night’s bash and wears in an advertising campaign, shot by noted fashion photographer Nigel Barker. The dress will go up for auction this spring, with proceeds benefiting Autism Speaks, the world’s largest autism and science advocacy organization. It’s also a cause close to Braxton’s heart: the singer’s youngest son was diagnosed in 2003 and she serves as a spokeswoman for the group. To learn more, and to see Costello in action, visit wherestheothersock.sheknows.com.

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Feb 08 2012 03:00 PM ET

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How Celebs Are Stylishly Supporting Ghana’s Needy Kids

Rachel Roy Purse
Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic; Inset: Courtesy Rachel Roy

There’s no limit to the number of charities celebrities seem to support, but at the moment, many are taking a stand for OrphanAid Africa, a charity championed by Rachel Roy. The designer recently created a handbag — the Rachel Roy OrphanAid Ghana clutch — designed to raise awareness about the non-profit and honor the West African nation at the same time.

“Clutches are one of my favorite shapes of handbags to carry, and when I work on product to sell for charities I want to create something that is refined, effortless and beautiful to look at … like the children that inspired the effort,” she explains to PEOPLE.

The colors in the bag — which retails for $49 — are taken from the country’s flag and washed “for a softer effect,” Roy explains. “The fabric is natural and raw; love the balance of the two.”

Jan 23 2012 04:00 PM ET

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EXCLUSIVE: Win Vanessa Hudgens’s Gown!

Vanessa Hudgens Stand Up 2 Cancer Auction
Michael Kovac/WireImage

Though Vanessa Hudgens is consistently glam on the red carpet, even her favorite looks get relegated to the back of the closet.

“I go to a bunch of events,” she tells PEOPLE. “Normally when I wear a dress, I only wear it once.”

Taking advantage of this stylish surplus, the actress is auctioning off the one-of-kind Candie’s Couture gown she wore to last year’s MTV Movie Awards (left), with all proceeds benefiting Stand Up 2 Cancer.

“I’m just trying to raise awareness,” she says of the endeavor, which starts Monday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. EST/ 4 p.m. PST. “It’s exciting.”

Other things she’s excited about include her new website, VanessaHudgensOfficial, where she blogs about film and music — and posts personal photos, thanks to the iPhone app Instagram. “It’s slightly addicting,” she says, laughing. “You can take a picture of a cup and it will look incredible.”

Jan 17 2012 08:30 AM ET

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Victoria Justice Helps Teens in Need Get Prom-Perfect

Victoria Justice Amanda Schwab/Startraks

Following in the footsteps of Ashley Greene, Nickelodeon star Victoria Justice is channeling her charitable side as the spokesperson for the 2012 Donate My Dress campaign. Designed to help less fortunate teens get special occasion dresses for their proms, Sweet 16 parties and Quinceañeras, the campaign encourages girls to donate gently used dresses to their local chapters.

“I’m really excited to be a part of the Donate My Dress organization,” Justice said in a release. “Prom can be really expensive; this program is an easy way for girls everywhere to get involved and help other girls in need.”

Justice is donating a dress of her own — the Jill Stuart mini she wore to the 2010 MTV Video Music awards (left) — and hoping others follow suit. Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus and Brittany Snow have donated some of their special occasion dresses in the past, too.

Dec 21 2011 01:30 PM ET

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Wilmer Valderrama’s New Gigs: T-shirt Designer — and Philanthropist

Wilmer Valderrama T-shirt
Courtesy Wilmer Valderrama

Wilmer Valderrama is putting his laidback style to use, helping change the world one T-shirt at a time. The self-proclaimed “black T-shirt guy” sits on the board of advisors at This Shirt Helps, a new clothing brand that aims to give back in the style of TOMS Shoes.

“It’s one of those really feel-good brands that I think could really, really help,” Valderrama tells PEOPLE. “The common goal is to create a somewhat global-helping approach to business.”

Proceeds from every T-shirt sold at ThisShirtHelps.com go toward the buyer’s choice of charitable act: to the ASPCA save a single animal; to provide clean water for one year via Waves 4 Water; allowing Plant with Purpose to plant three trees; or funding one month of school via Pencils of Promise.

“I’m one of those guys who’s like, ‘OK, what is the money really gonna go toward?’” says Valderrama of the brand’s decision to show contributions in measurable amounts of help provided per shirt purchased, rather than percentages of profit donated. But there’s a method to the madness.

Dec 19 2011 01:30 PM ET

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How to Bring Bethenny Frankel, Mary-Kate and Ashley Into Your Home

Bethenny Frankel Skinny Girl Vase
Courtesy Swarovski; Inset: Jason Kempin/WireImage

It’s not just another celebrity sale: the ‘Goddess Adorned’ auction features fancy vases decorated with love by stars like Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Bethenny Frankel, Melissa Joan Hart and more. But just like your typical celebrity auction, funds raised benefit a very worthy cause: Housing Works, a charity working hard to eradicate homelessness.

The stars involved each received a limited-edition Gaia vase by Harry Allen, then used sparkling Swarovski Elements to personalize the vessels. Frankel used black and red crystals to give a “chic” representation of her Skinnygirl brand (left); the Olsens put their design skills to use by making a miniature blazer from Italian-sourced fabrics and pairing it with a feminine skirt to “dress” their vase; and Hart made a play on her last name, covering hers in deep red breaking hearts.

Check out all 15 vases — and place some bids! — on shop.housingworks.com through Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 10 p.m. ET.

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Dec 19 2011 12:00 PM ET

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Miley Cyrus Helps Her Big Bro Design T-shirts

Miley Cyrus T-shirt
Courtesy S.M.H.P.

Someone’s a good little sister! Miley Cyrus recently gave big bro Trace a hand, helping him create a T-shirt for his two-year-old Southern Made Hollywood Paid clothing line.

“We decided to create a shirt that represented my line, with some of Miley’s style added to it,” Trace said in a release. “The two of us had been talking about doing this for a while — it was just about getting the right design.”

Trace came up with the idea for the artwork, basing it on his sis. “I wanted to think of something that really reminded me of [her],” he said. So he chose to feature a dream catcher, reminiscent of Miley’s biggest tattoo, and an image he has tattooed on his body, as well. “It was something we were always around since childhood, because of the influence from our dad,” he shared.

The addition of a peace sign and Miley’s autograph complete the shirt. “It just felt appropriate to somehow incorporate,” Trace said of his sister’s signature.