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DONALD & LISALiving the good life from Miami to the mountains of Italy for the Pliners does not begin and end with decorating prestigious abodes in California, Florida and New York, mingling with High Society coast-to-coast, or filling their closets with couture designs. Instead, the cause célèbre for this family of four-Donald, Lisa, their 3 year-old daughter Starr Emmanuelle, and, of course, their white Maltese, BabyDoll-is building on the scope of their Peace For The Children Foundation, an organization founded by the Pliners and funded by proceeds from their DJP collections, that donates to charities that care for children. But before you think the Pliners’ noble cause is their only passion, take note that there are as many facets to Donald and Lisa’s tremendous life as there is creative inspiration for Donald each season in designing his footwear. Donald’s characteristic, almost childlike enthusiasm for the good things in life, from a leisurely bike ride near their Miami residence with Starr and BabyDoll in tow to a romantic evening with his outgoing wife Lisa, is apparent in every step he takes. "My passion for the process of designing, living and breathing each of my collections is always there, but life has become even more fulfilling since Lisa and I started the foundation", says Donald. And the dynamic duo of Donald and Lisa have always been known for their extensive dossier of charitable efforts, from starting the Toe Box Foundation for the Miami City Ballet to involvement in the Make A Wish Foundation, The Humane Society, and the Jackson Memorial Children’s Hospital. But their own foundation grew out of adopting their beautiful daughter Starr Emmanuelle from an orphanage in Kazakhstan three years ago. "Seeing all these children who may never be adopted over there gave us a reason to make it our mission to do something about it," says Donald. |