PURCHASE, New York, March 16 /PRNewswire/ -- #PEPSICHALLENGE – Pepsi® today challenges people worldwide to shine a light on those who live in darkness. As the first global initiative in its 2015 Pepsi® Challenge™ program, the iconic brand announces the Pepsi x Liter of Light "Ignite the Light" Tour – an international journey of creative, large-scale, mixed media art installations created by artists from around the world who will bring attention to communities that lack electricity and basic lighting solutions.
In partnership with the Liter of Light organization and world-renowned fashion designer, creative director and fashion editor widely known for collaborations with Diesel and Lady Gaga, Nicola Formichetti, Pepsi reveals the first "Ignite the Light" installation in Hong Kong. Unveiled on March 15th and open to the public for a limited time at the PMQ Courtyard, Formichetti's piece titled "Ao Dress" is a physical example of the symbiotic relationship between light and material.
"It's important that the fashion and art industries work hand in hand and help each other, as each world now collides. I'm very much inspired by the art world mixing with my fashion angle, so it's exciting to be able to have a hand in both through the Pepsi x Liter of Light 'Ignite the Light' Tour," said Formichetti. "For my piece, 'Ao Dress,' I was inspired by Mother Nature – the embodiment of renewal, birth and the light of infinite possibility. What could be better than repurposing Pepsi bottles into something that helps people who go without the most basic of human needs, such as electricity and light. Pepsi is literally helping bring people out of the darkness and into the light, and that is something I can stand behind with conviction."
"Ao Dress" is an out-of-this-world gown with body architecture crafted from light and Pepsi bottles. Inspired by "Ao" the Goddess of Light, the truly alchemistical fashion spectacle observes the beautiful nature of the liquid diffused glow of Liter of Light solar lights and creates a futuristic silhouette that stands as a celebration of the project. Formichetti's team collaborated with fashion and technology company Studio XO and production company Prettybird to bring his vision to life.
"Through the 'Ignite the Light' Tour with Liter of Light, we're infusing the fun and excitement of the Pepsi Challenge with a focused purpose – helping our consumers around the world achieve their desire to make an impact," said Kristin Patrick, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, PepsiCo Global Beverage Brands. "Our work with Liter of Light is the connective tissue throughout the Pepsi Challenge program and we're challenging ourselves, our artist partners and our consumers to draw attention to this vital need. To act and to make a real difference."
Pepsi Challenge is a call to today's generations to live life to the fullest and make every moment—big or small—epic. Throughout 2015, Pepsi Challenge unleashes a variety of global and local challenges designed to galvanize consumers to push themselves farther, dream a little bigger and "Live for Now." Challenges will be issued on Pepsi social channels, PepsiChallenge.com and via global and local ambassadors.
Underpinning and uniting each and every #PepsiChallenge is a way for people around the world to make an impact. Through the partnership with Liter of Light, Pepsi will bring cost effective solar lighting solutions to communities in need while recycling plastic bottles. Every time consumers around the world use the #PepsiChallenge hash tag on public Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or YouTube profiles, Pepsi will donate $1 to Liter of Light to help bring environmentally-friendly, inexpensive and easy to make lights to those around the world who need it most.
To date, Liter of Light has provided ecologically-sustainable lighting solutions, including nighttime lighting solutions and public lighting such as street lights, to more than 18 countries including Brazil, India, Kenya, Colombia, Indonesia, Mexico, Egypt, Pakistan and the Philippines. Using empty recycled plastic bottles, water and chlorine, Liter of Light creates innovative "bottle lights" – a 55-watt solar bulb, with zero carbon emissions, that refracts sunlight and is powerful enough to light up a home.
"Light is not only a great need, but also a great inspiration, for so many," said Illac Diaz, Liter of Light Founder. "The Pepsi Challenge program and its 'Ignite the Light' global challenge sheds light on our great mission in inspiring, beautiful and visually stunning ways – both physically with the artistic light installations around the world, as well as the great impact and movement made through our partnership with Pepsi."
As a global ambassador for the Pepsi Challenge, Formichetti has challenged select artists around the world to take his lit torch and create the next "Ignite the Light" installation. Up to five "Ignite the Light" installations will be unveiled throughout the year around the world. Visit www.PepsiChallenge.com for more information.
About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $66 billion in net revenue in 2014, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker and Tropicana. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales. At the heart of PepsiCo is Performance with Purpose – our goal to deliver top-tier financial performance while creating sustainable growth in shareholder value. In practice, Performance with Purpose means providing a wide range of foods and beverages from treats to healthy eats; finding innovative ways to minimize our impact on the environment and reduce our operating costs; providing a safe and inclusive workplace for our employees globally; and respecting, supporting and investing in the local communities where we operate. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com.
Contact:
Nicole Tronolone, PepsiCo