#MakeTheDifference: John Legend, Esther Mahlangu, and Belvedere (RED) Join Forces to Fight AIDS

World AIDS Day, an annual awareness-raising event that commemorates efforts to fight HIV/AIDS, is on December 1. Polish luxury vodka house Belvedere has partnered with RED—an organization co-founded by U2’s Bono that aims to raise awareness and funds to fight HIV/AIDS—for a campaign called #MakeTheDifference.

Two talented artists—musician John Legend and celebrated South African artist Esther Mahlangu—have collaborated on a limited-edition Belvedere (RED) bottle decorated with vibrant art and colorful symbols created by Mahlangu, who was inspired by the traditional painting style of the Ndebele tribe.

BELVEDERE RED bottle features Esther Mahlangu’s specially commissioned artwork for the campaign

“I was very excited when I saw Esther’s design for the bottle for the first time. I think it is beautiful and very appealing and combines Esther’s and Belvedere’s aesthetics. It combines both cultures and the people we are trying to help,” says Legend.

John Legend dedicated his new song “Love Me Now” to the Bevedere’s (RED) campaign

Fifty percent of the profits from every limited-edition bottle sold will go to the Global Fund to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa.

South African artist Esther Mahlangu

#MakeTheDifference campaign

On the limited-edition bottle, an inspiring message from Legend reads, “This is no ordinary mission and this is no ordinary bottle. It is filled with hope and an unstoppable spirit for change. Working together, our efforts with (BELVEDERE) RED can make a real difference.”

Esther Mahlangu is a South African Ndebele artist known for her bold large-scale contemporary paintings that reference her Ndebele heritage

The limited edition bottle is the same price as the regular Belvedere bottle, but aside from the beautiful art and Legend’s signature, what makes Belvedere (RED) special is its power to give back.