Giorgia Vela was injured and began training with Eric Parizek in Querencia. Eric was one of the four founders of the Monarch Effect Foundation (MEF), which has a vision of helping middle-class families to achieve their dreams of a high-quality university education for their children. It was during her training sessions that Giorgia learned about MEF and decided that she wanted to become a mentor to some of their students. Monarch Effect Foundation not on provides financial support to qualified students and families but offers year-long College Prep classes to grade 11 and 12 students from seven private schools in the Los Cabos area. These are not like college prep classes in the United States and Canada, which focus how to improve your scores on SAT tests for admission to university. They are actually life preparation classes designed to prepare students to study and live away from home, in a different culture that speaks a different language. Sessions included everything from budgeting, to transportation, to visualizing their future life and career. The classes are offered by a combination of teachers, professionals, entrepreneurs and business people from the community and the students who are currently study abroad with the support of MEF.

Giorgia began her role as a mentor for students in the college prep class. Coincidently, she was offered a job with Monarch Swim to be part of a photo shoot for their swimwear and coverup line of products. She believed that this was just two much of a coincidence to not be fate and immediate prepared a proposal for the owners of Monarch Swim of how they could get involved with the Monarch Effect Foundation in Los Cabos (which is both a Mexican and US 501 C3 non-profit). After several months of working together, the owners of Monarch Swim agreed to design four special swim suits that would benefit the Monarch Effect Foundation.

Monarch Swim is based in New York with both a Norwegian designer, Ingunn Runnesto and a New Yorker, Christopher Reyes. MONARCH is the creation of a Norwegian designer shaped by her time at Dior and a decade in Manhattan’s luxury ateliers, alongside a Wall Street executive whose sharpened eye brings unexpected innovation to the art of design. Together, they set out to rewrite the language of modern swimwear. The company is described on their website as “Born from the vision of a Norwegian designer, MONARCH blends Scandinavian minimalism with New York glamour. Each swimsuit embodies elegance and sophistication with our signature feminine designs, immaculate fit, and velvety-soft touch. Crafted to elevate every moment, each piece invites you to embrace the allure of luxury and create unforgettable memories…. Every Monarch Design is meticulously considered by flattering cuts and clever details created to make women feel confident, bold and sophisticated.” Crafted in limited quantities, the collection reflects a devotion to quality and exclusivity. Swimwear is made from lustrous, quick-dry fabrics that sculpt and support, each piece thoughtfully designed with removable padding for comfort without compromise. Coverups—woven from viscose, nylon, and an elegant touch of Lurex—carry a semi-sheer shimmer that moves effortlessly from shoreline to evening.

The launch of this partnership joined Monarch Swimwear and Monarch Effect Foundation in organizing a fashion show at Giorgia’s family home in Quarencia. Giorgia, and the two students that she is mentoring worked tirelessly to organize the event. Food preparation was organized with the help of the staff and volunteers of the Monarch Effect Foundation. After drinks and well-prepared appetizers, Giorgia Vela introduced the vision and the work that had gone into creating Monarch X Monarch. Ingunn Runnesto and Chris Monarch were in attendance to showcase the brand, talk about their commitment to the Monarch Effect Foundation and the share of the profits at both the event and from the specially-designed swimwear that would be donated to MEF. Six models walked the runway bordered with flowers in the backyard of the house in Querencia. The shared many of the different one and two-piece swimsuit designs and the elegant coverups that would make the wearers at home at the pool, beach, or even in the restaurant at a beach club.

It was an terrific event, demonstrating how a partnership between the private sector and charities can make a different in people’s lives. The special products can be purchased online and are available in both Mexico and the United States.