Artists and designers unveil "Wonderful Paris" ("Le Paris Merveilleux") at the 11th annual “Frimousses de Créateurs”

Chantal Thomass and Chanel

If you're in love with Paris, you'll be completely charmed by “Frimousses de Créateurs”, an art exhibition benefiting UNICEF France and the children of Darfur. Fashion houses Dior, Chanel, Vuitton, Gucci, Lanvin as well as independent designers such as Jean-Paul Gaultier, Alexis Mabille and Chantal Thomass have created one of a kind dolls that pay tribute to Paris, the city symbolizing art and fashion.

With "Wonderful Paris" as the theme for 2013, the Eiffel Tower stars in many of the designs. Chantal Thomass' creation features a black Eiffel Tower adorned with a large pink bow, beret and frilly garters, while Richard Orlinksi's piece is a shiny red shoe with an inverted Eiffel Tower heel. As I snapped a closeup photo of a miniature Louis Vuitton bag, I overheard a Frenchman and his wife exchange astonished remarks about the doll's elaborate black feathered headdress. It's obvious from the amount of work that the designers devoted to their creations that they're determined to raise as much money as possible for UNICEF.

With more than 300,000 children vaccinated in the Darfur region last year, UNICEF and the partners of “Frimousses de Créateurs” hope that the proceeds raised from the "Wonderful Paris" auction will continue to bring hope and provide a better future for the children of the region.

If you're in Paris, I highly recommend this exhibition. All that you need to do is ask for a free ticket at the reception desk of the Petit Palais. As it's for a very worthy cause, I hope that you'll feel inspired to leave a donation at the UNICEF table when you leave.

From November 26 until December 1, the dolls will be on display at the Petit Palais. On December 2, Artcurial has organized an auction of these works at the Four Seasons Hotel George V. The event will be streamed live on the internet thanks to Figaro Enchères. One of these dolls would make a perfect Christmas present for a fashionista Francophile!

Click here to view the “Frimousses de Créateurs” photo album.

Amour ... toujours (Love ... always), a card addressed to Mlle Paris