Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Fashion Show For A Cause


 
On April 16th, Kapy Bash Mode had their 2nd annual charity fashion show for the women and children of the Congo. This event not only showcased the designer's, Beatrice Kapinga Bashala, Summer/Spring 2016 collection; they also showcased several talented individuals.


Kapinga at LVFW Season 1
Photo by Jeff Levy of Stylography

"Kapinga Bashala is an American fashion designer originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. She founded Kapy Bash Mode in Congo 1989. She started her brand name in France 1992. With the help of her daughter Laura Lumbayi they design, create, and customize one of a kind products. Our mission is to share with others our African culture through our designs, using trendy fabrics that make you feel unique."







Valerie Bittner
The event was hosted by the glamorous Valerie Bittner. Since it was her second time supporting this wonderful event, it felt like they were all family.


Miss Congo USA

















Miss CONGO USA, Rachel Mate was in attendance.  Rachel was born in the Congo, but currently lives in Philadelphia. She spoke about the demographics of the Congo and why they need our help.  She shared that the funds were going towards education and security to protect the women and children from crimes.
 

Kapy Bash Mode showcased two collections, summer casual and elegant wear, for both men and women.  Some of the designs were showcased by plus size/curvy  models.  These designs can be customized for all sizes, so if you see a design you like, don't worry about sizing. 

Here are some of the lovely designs that graced the runway.

Summer Casual Collection
 










Leslie Flores - Plus Size Model

 
 
    
 




Elegant Wear Collection


























Some of the talent at this event was twelve year old, Nia from Philadelphia, and Angie from the play, "Angie Jackson The Musical".

Angie
Nia





















The products from the vendors made it on the runway, and this got the audience, after the fashion show, to stop at all the vending tables.  All the profits from the vendors went towards the charity.  Some of the vendors showcased were Perla Fragance and Beauty, and Noonday Collection.

Thanks to our VIP Seating we were able to taste cookies from Fluff n' Stuff, and sampled makeup from Cosmetic Consultant, Elyse Maisonet.

 



 
 
 
The Marketing Director, Laura Lumbayi, gave the audience an account of what the foundation did with donated funds.  The funds went towards building homes and providing medicine and food for the women and children of the Congo affected by war crimes.


    
Laura Lumbayi at the Charity Fashion Show and in Congo with some of the kids they are helping.
 

 
At the end of the fashion show, the talented designer, Beatrice Kapinga Bashala, was greeted by the models with flowers and she gave thanks to her sponsors, supporters, and her house models for donating their time to make the charity fashion show a success.




 
 
Kapy Bash for Mothers and Children Foundation is a 503 (c) organization with the goal to;
  • Improve the health of women and children,
  • Facilitate access to healthcare facility,
  • Provide clean drinking water, food, medicine, beneficial healthcare and education,
  • Teach Communication and Patient,
  • Emphasize good hygiene for infection control, and
  • Empower women to be self-sufficient by teaching the importance of education.

To make a donation to Kapy Bash for Mothers and Children, visit
https://www.gofundme.com/dollforhope

 
 
 
Blog by LVFW Lead Blogger Winsome Condra
 

 





 

 

 

 

Monday, March 14, 2016

A Road Less Traveled Fashion Show


Fashion Week Inside Look is happy to be a part of this awesome event that showcased young, talented designs of the students from the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts (LVCHSA).  Although this is our first time at this event, this was the fifth annual fashion show held at the Palace Center in Allentown.  
 
The emcee at the event was Ashley Russo, President and Executive Producer of ASR Media Productions, and creator of PEAK TV. 
 
The Theme of the night was "A Road Less Traveled" and we saw designs from boutiques, retail stores, emerging designers, and student designers. 
 
The show was a tribute to the unique and amazing individuals and companies that support and recognize the power of the arts. 
 
14 students showcased their designs and the headliner was Justin Orlick, 12th grader Visual Art Major.  The models were students from the school.  The students' designs were original and creative, and the models rocked the runway like professionals. 
 
Justin Orlick showcased his children and adult clothing  collections.  He also made a statement on marriage equality by staging a same sex marriage in his "The Wedding" collection.
 
It was refreshing to see the raw talent of the future designers coming out of this school.  Several of these students will be chosen to showcase their designs during Lehigh Valley Fashion Week.  

Fashion Week will be held on April 28th to April 30th, check out and like their facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/lvfashionweek/?ref=hl, to get updated information  on ticket sales.

Here are some highlights of the awesome designs during the event!   Don't miss next year's event! 


Nicholas Gonzalez Collection, "Black Screen"

Najah Springer Collection, "All Sizes Are Beautiful"

Bria Pickel Collection, "Speakeasy Stitches"

Bria Pickel Collection, "Speakeasy Stitches"

Larissa Haag Collection, "Silver Lining"

Justin Orlick Collection, "Animals"


Justin Orlick Collection, "Animals"
Justin Orlick Final Runway Walk









Original event flyer




LVFWPA Blog Team Member Winsome Condra






Thursday, January 21, 2016

Lehigh Valley Fashion Week Season 1 - Recap of Premiere Nights


The first season of Lehigh Valley Fashion Week was a highly anticipated event held in August 2015, which did not fail in dazzling the audience with designs from talented designers within the Tri-State.  The fashion week covered designs for Fall/Winter season.

The Founder of Lehigh Valley Fashion Week, Cyrie Melody Jackson, gave back to the community by connecting with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and made a local girl, Alysa-Mae Corby,  wish come true by training her to model during the three main nights of the Fashion Week. 



The three main fashion shows were sponsored by Renaissance Hotel in Allentown, and it was held in the ballroom of Renaissance from August 14th to 16th to highlight four types of fashion, couture, ready-to-wear, avant garde, and urban wear.  Heidi Uracius from Barbizon Chique was the emcee for two nights, August 14th and August 15th, and Brian Anthony from Bradionow.com emceed on August 16th. 

August 14th was couture night/ready-to-wear and the ballroom space in the Renaissance Hotel was filled to capacity (300 attendees).  The following designers showcased their designs that night; Bel Bijoux Couture, Fashion Sixty4, Victoria Wright, Dartanya, Gusa by Victoria, Kapy Bash Mode


August 15th was "Art vs Fashion" part 1, which showcased avant garde and designs collaborated with world known artists, Rigo Peralta and Aaron Hill.   The audience was amazed at the out of the box and unique designs showcased by the following designers;  Jagged Hanger, Art2 the Skin, Clothes MentorChloe and Isabel, Larissa Favier.

On August 16th, "Art vs Fashion" part 2, highlighted urban designs, local upcoming designer, and artistic hair designs.  The following designers showcased their designs; IMF, Cami Zuri, Cat Meow's Fashion.  The hairstylist/salon that participated in showcasing the out of the box hairstyles is Sassy and Classy salon.  This was an emotional night for the LVFW Team, since it was a closing of the three main nights which were successful. 

LVFW collaborated with local businesses, mua, salons and model agencies to make the premiere of the first valley-wide fashion week a success. 

Metro Beauty Academy, Style Beauty Lounge, Sassy and Classy sponsored LVFW by providing their mua and hairstyling services during the Fashion Week.  They did a great job and it showed on the runway.

Barbizon Modeling and Jolt Models sponsored LVFW by providing the graceful and talented models who graced the runway to exhibit the designers' and hairstyles' created.

The three nights were covered by Tony Taylor, Theresa O'Snap, Memorie 4 Life Photography, Michael Madden, Tune2This, Stylography.  Just to name a few.

LVFW had several celebrities in the crowd, such as; Keri Singleton, Jaciel Cordoba, Donna Franklin CEO/designers of DMochelle Fashions.

Season 2 of Lehigh Valley Fashion Week will be held on April 29th to May 1st, 2016, exhibiting Spring/Summer 2016.  Save the Date to see the designers LVFW will showcase next.


Other Media Coverage:

Blogs:
1) http://ontherunway1.blogspot.com/2015/08/leigh-valley-fashion-week.html
2) http://tune2this.com/2015/08/18/lehigh-valley-fashion-week-intro/
3) http://tune2this.com/2015/08/21/lehigh-valley-fashion-week-runway/

Photo:
1) http://tonytaylor.photoshelter.com/gallery/Designer-Victoria-Wright/G0000KDcEK4AWBjY/C0000v.7EzxZgZIw
2) http://tune2this.com/2015/08/19/lehigh-valley-fashion-week-day-1/
3) http://tune2this.com/2015/08/20/lehigh-valley-fashion-week-day-2/
4) http://tune2this.com/2015/08/21/lehigh-valley-fashion-week-day-3/

 

Blog by LVFW Team member Winsome Condra