Esquire witnessed Montblanc reaffirm its partnership with UNICEF to help improve learning for children at the New York Public Library in New York City on April 3rd. Designed around the idea that writing is a precious gift that should be passed on, the Montblanc for UNICEF collection was unveiled at one of the most iconic libraries in the world and a centre for learning and sharing of ideas for over a century.
Guests including brand ambassadors Hugh Jackman and Charlotte Casiraghi, actor Rami Malek, digital entrepreneur Miroslava Duma, actresses Diane Kruger, Aissa Maiga and Carly Chaikin and UNICEF ambassador Gigi Leung.
They were joined by Montblanc CEO Nicolas Baretzki and UNICEF’s chief of education, programme division Jo Bourne to support the initiative inside the grand halls of the New York cultural landmark, where Montblanc brought to life the importance of writing, its universal nature and the power of education as a force for good in communities around the world.
Montblanc, a champion of the written word, embarked on the partnership with UNICEF in 2004 to help promote literacy across the world. The collaboration has so far raised more than $10 million and the renewed partnership invests in children’s programmes in China, Djibouti, and Brazil.
The new collection of writing instruments, leather goods, jewellery and a timepiece is unified by the hint of blue sapphire (mirroring the UNICEF blue) and an alphabet-inspired design in each product, celebrating the preciousness of writing as a force for good.
The Meisterstück pen has a new design inspired by the Rosetta Stone, one of the most significant objects in the history of the written word. Not only did it become the key to unlocking the meaning of hieroglyphs and understanding the culture of ancient human civilisations, it was also one of the first signs of international understanding and cooperation.
The diversity of world languages is represented in the design of the new collection by six characters. These are the first letters children learn to write at school in six different languages from around the world.
For every piece in the “Montblanc for UNICEF Collection” sold from April 1 2017 to March 31 2018, Montblanc will donate three percent of the proceeds to support UNICEF and its literacy projects, with a minimum amount of $1.5 million being guaranteed by Montblanc. The collection is available from Montblanc boutiques and online at Montblanc.com.
To find out more about the Montblanc for UNICEF collection, read our exclusive interview with Nicolas Baretzki in the forthcoming Esquire Big Watch Book, out May 1st.
