Hard Rock project will benefit Amnesty’s human rights work

Hard Rock has launched a new limited-edition U2 t-shirt to mark international human rights day (10 December) and raise funds for Amnesty International.

U2 joins a legendary roster of rock icons - including The Who, Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, Jon Bon Jovi, Shakira, Ringo Starr and John Lennon - as part of Hard Rock’s “Signature Series”, which has helped to raise millions of dollars for charitable causes worldwide.

The “U2 Signature Series: Edition 30” t-shirt is being produced through a partnership between EDUN LIVE and Hard Rock, and will be available online and in Rock Shops at Hard Rock Cafe locations in London, New York and Dublin, with 15% of the retail price benefitting Amnesty. It will be available in Hard Rock Cafes, Hotels and Casinos worldwide from February 2013.

The U2 Signature Series t-shirt is printed on a navy blue EDUN Live t-shirt made from 100% African cotton (image available).

The shirt, which costs £20.45, features an image of an electric guitar with angel wings, emblazoned with the words “JUSTICE,” “HUMANITY” and “EQUALITY.” A barbed wire is seen wrapped around the neck of the guitar. The back of the t-shirt bears the signatures of each member of U2 - singer Bono, guitarist The Edge, bassist Adam Clayton and drummer Larry Mullen, Jr.

U2’s The Edge said:

“I hope this t-shirt generates loads of cash for Amnesty International and their tireless work towards the release of prisoners of conscience all around the world.

“Plus there's a guitar on it - so it’s a win-win as far as I'm concerned.”

Amnesty International Campaigns & Communications Director Thomas Schultz-Jagow said:

“We are thrilled that U2, Hard Rock and EDUN have generously offered to support Amnesty International in this high-profile way.

“We have a history of working with all three, and the combined power of us all coming together on this project will make a huge difference by raising awareness of our human rights work around the world.”

Hard Rock International’s Senior Director of Brand Philanthropy Annie Balliro said:

“We are proud to support Amnesty International and aid in the fight for human rights worldwide through the Signature Series programme.

“Hard Rock is honoured to have U2, legendary musicians and dedicated activists, join with us to raise funds and awareness for such an important organisation.”

• Buy the t-shirt at hardrock.com

Background

Hard Rock developed the concept of partnering with world-renowned musicians and bands to create and donate imaginative designs more than 20 years ago. These unique designs are reproduced onto t-shirts and sold at Hard Rock properties worldwide, with a portion of the retail price benefitting the artist’s preferred charity. Hard Rock has a total of 178 venues in 55 countries, including 139 cafes, 18 hotels and eight casinos. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world’s greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations worldwide. For further information: www.hardrock.com /p>

EDUN is a contemporary collection for men and Women's rights's rightss rights's rights's rights's rights designed by Sharon Wauchob. Founded by Ali Hewson and Bono in 2005, EDUN is a global fashion brand bringing about positive change through its trading relationship with Africa, and its positioning as a creative force in contemporary fashion. It is sold globally in leading department and specialty stores. EDUN LIVE is a basic line of t-shirts produced for business-to-business sales, enabling it to drive trade into Africa through high-volume sales direct to the wholesale market. The t-shirts are entirely “grow to sew”, with 100% of production taking place in Africa. For more information: www.edun.com br />