Fashion Fights Poverty is gearing up for D.C. Fashion Week, which will take place from Sept.23-30.
Their main objective is to give new designers some affordable exposure by offering upscale non-profit fashion shows at reasonable prices. They are charging a $400.00 entrance fee that is much cheaper than the 100,000 or more others charge for similar shows in Paris.
- In the fall of 2005 Michael Dumloa (a wonderful photographer), Sylvie Luanghy and Kardrieka Maiden from Style and Image Network founded FFP. In 2006, they received the Leading Lights Diversity Leadership award. They collaborate with ONE (The campaign to make poverty history) and the United Nations among others.
Organizations Fashion Fights Poverty Supports:
- This year FFP will be donating their proceeds to Aid to Artisans, a non-profit organization that offers assistance to artisan groups worldwide. They provide training and help promote a sustainable economy for craftspeople.
Fashion Fights Poverty rose over 10,000 dollars last year for Bead for Life, which is a non-profit organization that helps eradicate poverty by supporting and training Ugandan women. They transfer their beautiful beads into income by creating them into jewelry from recycled paper.
- Also available from FFP is their official dress responsibly “Lookbook” offering clothes, accessories and home décor from socially conscious designers. The book is a style guide made from recycled paper and features stylish yet ethical fashions. The guide was made with the help of over 100 volunteers. To learn more you can view clips from the 2006 Dress Responsibly Lookbook launch produced by Anjou Films.
Runway Africa is also making an entrance with their first Africhic fashion show. Five designers will be featured with each auctioning off an original design. It will be at the Embassy of France on September 15 with the proceeds going to Keep a Child Alive. Keep A Child Alive is dedicated to providing treatment to children and their families with HIV/AIDS in Africa and the developing world.
Keep a Child Alive focuses on three areas in their fight against AIDS:
- Treatment: Anti-retroviral treatment has improved the health of many people who were previously ill.
- Care: Keep a Child Alive provides medical services and treatment including nutrition.
- Orphans: Since 15.2 million children worldwide have lost a parent to AIDS, building orphanages is necessary to keep these children alive.
FFP provides a fun way to network for organizations and the fashion community while providing the opportunity to alleviate poverty through empowering communities with skill building and business opportunities.
- You can read more about the latest Fashion Fights Poverty news on their blog, MySpace, their website and YouTube videos.
Sources: Runway Africa website, 2007, Fashion Fights Poverty website, 2007, Keep a Child Alive website, 2007,Dressed to Kill (Zack Rosen, Washington Blade,August, 2007)
