Fashion for a Cause, By: Bessie Nicole Kostidis

Photo by Bessie N. Kostidis

Friends Assisting Women in Need, Inc. did just that, in a most fabulous way, at their annual FAWN Dinner and Fashion Show that benefited Housing Opportunities in the budding town of Valparaiso, Indiana. Housing Opportunities is a HUD-approved and state certified housing agency that serves all of Northwest Indiana and empowers its clients whom are homeless, (most of which are so due to domestic violence), to gain life skills, self-reliance, job preparation training, and find housing options that are safe and affordable. Ultimately, their goal is to break the cycle of homelessness by providing preventative and crisis services.

Weekly Feature: Cirque de Couture

Photography and design by Austin Robertson with Phasionation Photography and Graphic Design  

SARPA (Sexual Assault Recovery & Prevention Agency) has a spectacular event coming up on September 9, 2011 to raise awareness and funds for their program called Cirque de Couture.  Cirque de Couture is established as their second annual fashion designer contest and fashion show to raise awareness and funds for the 501(c)3 non-profit (Tax ID#: 71-0567897). Here is a breakdown of all the services they provide:

Direct Survivor Services:

• 1-800 crisis and referral hotline
• one-on-one advocacy
• semi-monthly support groups
• 24-hour advocacy escorts (medical/police/legal)
• volunteer program

Education and Prevention:

• 1-800 education hotline
• educational seminars and presentations
• trainings to professionals
• awareness activities
• public resource library
• volunteer program

Adult Sexual Assault Response Team with a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Clinic:

Utilizing a collaborative and multi-disciplinary approach, SARPA works with various disciplines to coordinate a response team when survivors need immediate assistance.

This 24/7 program is an alternative to going to the hospital or another medical clinic. SARPA provides a private community based clinic, where a survivor can receive support, advocacy, education, referrals, and a medical examination by a certified or qualified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE), who is specifically trained to work with sexual assault survivors and gather evidence for the police and prosecution.

Photography and design by Austin Robertson with Phasionation Photography and Graphic Design 

Now more about this fabulous event!

As the non-profit states, "SARPA fashion design competition entails about 200 guests who enjoy a culmination of music and fashion. Last year local musicians “Hardaway & the Commoners” performed on the runway as designers showed looks. Audience vote determined a winner. The fashion show highlights the designs of local designers with interest greatly expanded this year.  Many designers from Little Rock, Arkansas have expressed interest in participating in the competition. One important appeal to designers is the presence of many local store owners/managers and providing a venue for exposure to many retailers at once."

Photography and design by Austin Robertson with Phasionation Photography and Graphic Design 

                    They are still looking for sponsors and I would encourage anyone with an interest in helping the safety of their community living in Arkansas to participate in the sponsorship program.  This event will also generate more interest in the fashion industry as a whole.  If you or your company want to promote the fashion scene locally, this is an opportunity to get involved and encourage more events like this.  Fashion shows and design competitions get great response in Arkansas, because it is what the public wants.  When you have the chance to not only attend an event such as Cirque de Couture, but also to become involved and have your name/business attached, take this occasion to rock it out and go for it!

Nicole Linn with SARPA and event promoter says, " I tell all the people involved don't think of this as a fashion show, think of it as a production.  The models are going to have to look alive out there, because they may have to dodge a stray balloon or beachball." 

Photography and design by Austin Robertson with  Phasionation Photography and Graphic Design 

Sounds like a blast to me!  I will be there and I hope to see you all there, too.  $10 general admission pre-show tickets and $12 at the door.  Reserved seating and VIP tables are available as well.

SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION

Contact Nicole Linn at: alananici@yahoo.com

This Week's Challenge: Our Guest of Honor for our Event, Korto Momolu

Photo provided by Korto Momolu.

How much do I love this designer?!  Korto Momolu has been a huge inspiration for me, because not only does she have the determination of a lioness, but she lives in my hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas.  I wrote a short article about her in August of 2009 on what I call my "experimental blog," Arkansas Fashion.  Funny how things sometimes come full circle in life as Korto Momolu has agreed to make a special guest appearance at The Compassion Fashion Project's first event, Divas Dressing Darlings.  I knew that she was the perfect local celeb to ask to come, because of her past philanthropic efforts not to mention...she is FABULOUS!  She was born in Liberia, West Africa and immigrated to Canada with her family in 1990 where she eventually studied design at L'Academies des Couturiers Design Institute in Ottawa, Ontario.  After graduation she moved to Arkansas with her husband to live and raise their daughter, whom Momolu says is "a constant source of inspiration for her."  If you watch the above video, you will see her pull her daughter up on the stage with her at the end of her showing.  It is a sweet moment.

(Left) Tatyana Ali in spring 2011 jacket, (Right Top) Beverly Johnson in custom dress,
(Bottom Right) Vanessa Williams in custom necklace
Press Kit provided by Korto Momolu.

Obviously, Momolu is best known for her appearance on season 5 of Project Runway where she made it to the finals to show her collection at Bryant Park and inevitably won first-runner up.  Project Runway brought her back for a second show called the "All-Stars Edition" when the show made a switch from Bravo to Lifetime.  Many disputed the fact that she placed first-runner up for the second time and felt she deserved first place, but this is a constant controversy on this show amongst PR enthusiasts who do not agree with the judges decisions.

(Left) Atlanta Housewife Cynthia Bailey, cover, (Right) Lisa Raye McCoy in Today's Black Woman Magazine
Press Kit provided by Korto Momolu. 

In no way has Korto Momolu (pronounced Cut*Oh- Mo*Mo*Lu) let that one show define her as a designer nor otherwise as she continues her business and is a very popular stylist as well.  In fact, when I first reached out to Eljay Deshield, her PR manager, back in February of this year she was busy with her show at New York Fashion Week and has had success after success in the fashion industry.  She has formed a partnership with Dillard's where over 70 stores carry her line of handbags and jewelry.  Her jewelry line ",The Saba Collection," is a high end line created with eco-friendly wood.  Her humanitarian efforts go far beyond her ideas for sustainable design as she has been appointed the "Goodwill Ambassador" for the Tigerlily Foundation and supported the "Go Orange" campaign benefiting the New York Food Bank.  These are just a couple of her non-profit endeavours and now she is helping The Compassion Fashion Project provide aid to the 501(c)3 non-profit, Little Dresses for Africa.  Believe me when I say that this shows her genuine compassion for worthy causes, since we are still grass roots and were thrilled with her acceptance of our invitation.

(Top) Little Rock Family Magazine, (Bottom Left) ShopFlick, (Bottom Right )  Essence Magazine
Press Kit provided by Korto Momolu

So, in conclusion if you will be in the central Arkansas area on June 16, 2011, please come to our event and get your own chance to meet this unique fashion designer with a heart of gold.  We will be serving wine and refreshments, listening to LIVE music by Jessica Carder, and triumphing an amazing cause.  All we ask is that you bring in your new or gently used pillowcases and/or any unwanted sewing machines to benefit the orphans who need our help with clothing in Africa.  Not only does Little dresses for Africa supply dresses for girls and little britches for boys using the pillowcase donations, they also teach the women and older children in the villages to sew.  This is such a special event that you do not want to miss it!  See our "Event" page for more details.  Thank you so much, Korto, for your participation and for my favorite new quote from you:

"Love*Hope*Faith*Repeat*."~Korto Momolu

(Top Left)"The Saba Collection," (Top Right) Saba in Smithsonian Catalog,
(Bottom Left) Sanlori Stationary launch spring 2011, (Bottom Right) Young and the Restless cast wearing Saba
Press Kit provided by Korto Momolu.

This Week's Challenge: Joan Hornig's Message to All, "Philanthropy is Beautiful"

Disco Fever Earrings $3900

Stars like Miley Cyrus, Christie Brinkley, Eva Mendes, Kristin Chenoweth, and Megan Fox, just to name a few have discovered and supported the dual purpose jewelry line Joan Hornig Jewelry.    When I say "dual purpose" I am, of course, talking about the fact that Joan Hornig Jewelry is not only beautiful, but is a business built on philanthropy.  Hornig did her Art History undergraduate studies at Harvard before earning her MBA at Columbia Business School.  Through her eye for art and design merging with her business sense was born her jewelry line which exudes beauty, fashion, and philanthropy.  In fact, Hornig's message "Philanthropy is Beautiful"  is quite literally seen on some of her designs.  What portion of the proceeds go to charity, you ask?  Try 100%!  Since that lovely gesture just wasn't enough for Hornig, she decided to also set up her company, so that the purchaser has the opportunity to choose any charity of their choice to donate the funds to.  That's right!  You get the opportunity to pick your favorite charity to receive the funds, just as long as your charity is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit.

Keshi Pearl Necklace $3200

For The Compassion Fashion Project, it begged the question, what domestic violence causes has benefited from Joan Hornig Jewelry?  Well, ask and you will receive...here's the list and links:

Child Advocates, Inc. 

Child Help 

Children's Defense Fund 

Crisis Shelter   

Domestic Violence Services of Cumberland and Perry Counties 

Global Fund for Women   

Houston Area Women's Center  

Hudson County Casa  

Jubilee Women's Center  

Mary Kay Foundation  

Miklat  

The National Domestic Violence Hotline  

Operation Breakthrough  

Planned Parenthood  

Prevent Child Abuse America  

Rocky Mountain Children's Law Center   

Safe Horizons  

Shalom House  

Star of Hope  

The Retreat  

Voices of Women Organizing Project  

WNY Women's Fund  

The Women's Fund, The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee  

Zipp-Up Cuff, $745

Operations Manager, Clotilde Dedecker, explains to us how Joan Hornig Jewelry operates through charity, "The goal of our line is to make every purchaser a philanthropist. The list of charities on our website are all the organizations our customers have supported in through their purchases. Every time a new organization is selected, a new charity is added to the list. "

As seen worn by Olivia Wilde, The Poppy Ring, $5000

Knock On Wood Necklace, $135

It is the mission of The Compassion Fashion Project to inform people of wonderful companies like Joan Hornig, so that as a society we become more aware of how we spend our money.  We also make it our mission to take away the stigma that is attached to domestic violence causes and promote awareness in a trendy fashion.  I believe that as we ask women to change and transform themselves through empowerment that our message becomes synonymous with that of what fashion stands for which is a constant climate of change.  When companies like Joan Hornig stands up for people in this world who need our help, it makes a bold and powerful statement.  I applaud Joan Hornig and all her associates for what they are doing and feel very lucky to have the opportunity to write this feature.

As seen on Cameron Diaz, The Tiki Ring, $735

Saw Through It Necklace, $125

Design and Public Relations Associate for Joan Hornig, Mardee Goff, tells us what she thinks about The Compassion Fashion Project, "We love finding people who get our mission the way you do and can not thank you enough for helping spread the word. The Compassion Fashion Project is truly an amazing blog, and your mission is truly inspiring! "

I cannot say enough good things about this company and the people who work for Joan Hornig Jewelry.  If you are looking for a unique piece of jewelry, why look anywhere else?  Make your purchase mean something and let's all be aware of where and how we shop.  To purchase any of these pieces seen here, simply click on the red link under each photo or go to joanhornig.com. 

Check these out:

Philanthropy is Beautiful Stationary made from recycled materials, $30

Wrapped in Philanthropy Gift Tags  
Pack of 25 seeded gift tags perfect for your holiday gift wrapping needs. Tags are plantable and will blossom into wildflowers within 1-4 weeks after planting! Available with gift giver's name custom printed for an extra $5.00. 

Elephant Dung Paper Stationary Set, $65

Set of eight elephant dung notecards with matching hemp envelopes enclosed in Philanthropy is Beautiful® regenerated leather, reusable case. Leather cases are available in red or black. Please specify color preference. Notecards are made of Pachyderm Paper, a bi-product of elephant dung. This paper converts an abundant resource into an asset and economic outlet in areas throughout Asia.

This Week's Challenge: Support Charlotte Fairchild's Fashion Wraps for a Cause

Charlotte Fairchild

Charlotte Fairchild is one of those people you meet in life with a deep heartfelt and sincere concern for others.  She is a writer, speaker, musician, and an all around do-gooder that is a friend of The Compassion Fashion Project.  We first met Charlotte as one of our Facebook fans, thank goodness for modern day technology, and reached out to her, because of her keen sense of knowing the need of fashion for a cause.  Charlotte has created a simple pattern to use in the production of her signature ponchos that she then distributes to several outlets including La Leche for nursing mothers and most recently she made a donation to her local domestic violence shelter, the Share House in Douglasville, GA.

This design was inspired using sari material.

Charlotte stated about her recent donation to the Share House, "They have 25 beds, and that includes children.  The sewing group will be making these for the women who cannot wear a jacket or are breast feeding."

Add author to her credits as she has written two books, one entitled Fertile Prayers and it deals with infertility and child/baby loss.

Fairchild points out, "One reason women lose babies...domestic violence."

She is also a former member of The Task Force for Domestic Violence in Paulding County, Georgia where she has seen domestic violence first hand. 

She goes on to say,"Women who are domestic violence survivors also have children, so it is a family affair."

As Charlotte points out,  ponchos are an "ancient attire."

It truly is.  It's also a society affair since 1/4 women will be assaulted in their lifetime and crime rates in communities increase due to domestic abuse.  Charlotte runs her own registered non-profit called Fear Thou Not and is committed to the teachings of safety awareness.

Charlotte talks about her fashion endeavours stating, "Scarves are also something I donate. They are easy to make from fleece and although I have 3 patterns for scarves, I only have two for ponchos.  A poncho can be made from one yard of fabric. Add an inch for every size larger. I have made them for people who were a size 4X. I have also made them for small children. I buy remnants, so they don't cost as much."

Oooh, I'm loving these materials...looks like Kitty does, too!

Charlotte loves to teach people how to make these gorgeous wraps and scarves, so if you are interested in learning do not hesitate to ask for a few quick sewing tutorials from her.  You can contact her through her Facebook page where you can also view even more photos of her lovely ponchos.



Charlotte got very creative here using bird feed packaging for a waterproof version!

 







Not only can you learn to sew these beauties, but you can also help support Charlotte Fairchild in her mission to bringing these ponchos and scarves to the people who need them most by purchasing them from her, too.  The cost is $25.00 each plus $5.00 for shipping and handling and you can contact her through her Facebook page or send your order and/or donations to:

                     Fear Thou Not

                    PO Box 1268

                   Hiram, GA 30141

             

Fear Thou Not will gladly send you a receipt with your purchase/donation.

Fairchild uses a lovely black sateen edging here against "the official domestic violence awareness color", purple.