Music Superstar Shakira Designs Limited-Edition T-Shirt for Hard Rock's Latest Signature Series

Music Superstar Shakira Designs Limited-Edition T-Shirt for Hard Rock's Latest Signature Series

Proceeds to Benefit Shakira's Fundacion Pies Descalzos

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- For more than a decade, Shakira has been a dominant force in the music industry worldwide, as a multiple Grammy Award winner, singer/songwriter, musician, record producer and philanthropist, and has become the highest-selling Colombian artist of all time. Now, the global icon takes on the role of fashion designer for a great cause through her partnership with Hard Rock. Today at Hard Rock Cafe Paris, Shakira unveiled the latest Signature Series T-shirt, featuring a beautiful image which she proudly designed, marking the official worldwide launch of the Shakira Signature Series T-shirt. Proceeds from the sale of the new T-shirt benefit Shakira's Fundacion Pies Descalzos, which is devoted to finding and providing opportunities for children who are victims of the violence in Colombia and also aims to build new schools and/or improve the infrastructure of existing schools.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070216/NYF013 )

Shakira, the 23rd rocker and only the second female artist to become part of Hard Rock's Signature Series T-shirt program, joins music icons and legends, such as Elton John, Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Nicks and Ozzy Osbourne, helping to raise millions of dollars for a number of charitable causes worldwide.

The Signature Series T-shirt Edition XXIII features a vivid pink guitar, bearing a set of angel wings on the base that form into a glowing pink heart, with the neck of the guitar wrapped in flowers. The design, created by Shakira, is set on a black T-shirt, and for the first time, is available exclusively in a ladies junior baby-doll size. Hard Rock International is offering Shakira fans the chance to own the limited-edition T-shirt, which is available online at www.hardrock.com/rockshop and at Rock Shops at Hard Rock Cafes, Hotels and Casinos worldwide.

"I am so excited to be a part of the Signature Series program and I am thrilled to partner with Hard Rock for this life-changing effort," said Shakira. "The program is going to help so many children in my country, and on behalf of all of Colombia's children, we sincerely thank Hard Rock."

In 1997, Shakira created Fundacion Pies Descalzos, which promotes education and strives to provide help for some of the basic needs of Colombian children who are victimized by violence in the country. The foundation also aims to build new schools and/or improve the infrastructure of existing schools. As a result of her efforts, Shakira was nominated a UNICEF ambassador -- the youngest world representative of this organization.

"We are truly happy to have such an impactful musician and philanthropist as Shakira become part of Hard Rock's renowned global Signature Series T-shirt program," said Hamish Dodds, president and chief executive officer, Hard Rock International. "We are also pleased to be able to show our support for her Fundacion Pies Descalzos and help to improve the quality of life for the children in Shakira's home country of Colombia."

Since it was established in 1971, Hard Rock has been committed to a wide variety of philanthropic causes and activities around the world. In 1990, Hard Rock International developed the concept of partnering with world-renowned musicians and bands, who create and donate imaginative designs to be reproduced onto T-shirts to benefit the artist's charity of choice. To date, 23 artists have participated in the Signature Series program, including Eric Clapton, Elton John, Sting, Michael Stipe, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Nicks and Ozzy Osbourne, raising millions for a wide variety of organizations, such as Crossroads Centre Antigua, the Elton John AIDS Foundation and World Hunger Year.

This year, Hard Rock is also offering the popular Ozzy Osbourne, Bruce Springsteen and Eric Clapton Signature Series T-shirts, in men's and women's styles, with more to come.

To learn more about Fundacion Pies Descalzos, please visit www.fundacionpiesdescalzos.com.

For further details regarding the Signature Series program, please visit www.hardrock.com.

About Fundacion Pies Descalzos

The Pies Descalzos Foundation is a Colombian non-governmental organization created by internationally acclaimed artist Shakira. The organization is devoted to finding and providing opportunities for children who are victims of the violence in Colombia. It originated in Barranquilla, a city on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, and is now reaching other parts of the country. The foundation's goal is to improve the education, nutrition and the lives of the thousands of displaced children who are living in perilous conditions because of the violent internal conflict in Colombia. For more information, visit www.fundacionpiesdescalzos.com.

About Hard Rock International

With 124 high-energy Hard Rock Cafes, seven Hotel & Casinos (excluding those under construction) and one stand-alone Casino in 46 countries, Hard Rock International is one of the world's most globally-recognized brands. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music- related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website. Hard Rock International, Inc. is owned by The Rank Group Plc (RNK.L). For more information on Hard Rock, visit www.hardrock.com.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070216/NYF013
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN1
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Hard Rock International

CONTACT: Brian Siemienas of Hard Rock International, +1-407-445-7625;
Deborah Sierchio or Meredith Miesieski, both of Coyne PR, +1-973-316-1665, for
Hard Rock International

Web site: http://www.hardrock.com/rockshop
http://www.hardrock.com/
http://www.fundacionpiesdescalzos.com/

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