Last week was the 5th Annual Jersey City Fashion Week. A few days before the festivities began, Priscilla Pender a PR chick who helps the founder Desha Lang Jackson, reached out to let me know that I would be getting an award as “Person of Influence.” I was absolutely ecstatic and so appreciative of the recognition which honors people of influence in the Hudson County Community. I was planning on attending the fashion show anyway and this news was the cherry on the cake!
I asked Ali, our Jersey City stylist and fashion contributor to be my date and we attended the Wednesday night show at Maritime Park…. but first red carpet pictures!
Before the show began we went outside to enjoy the wonderful setting and some Prosecco. I love my job!
It was time for the main event. They started with the award ceremony and Priscilla said the sweetest things before calling me up to accept my award. I was so appreciative and humbled by the opportunity. Will never forget this!!
Ok. Enough about me! Fashion show time.
4th annual School of Fashion Children’s Fashion Event / Creative Runway
by Shanelle Smith
The newest member to the CHICpeaJC Crew, Shanelle Smith attended the 4th Annual School of Fashion Children’s Fashion Event / Creative Runway and it wasn’t short of dazzling.
Jersey City Fashion Week hosted their 4th Annual School of Fashion Children’s Fashion Event/Creative Runway and young designers contest. The fabulous fashion affair not only broadcast designers, it also showcased children’s talents and allowed them to take part in a little healthy competition.
Desha Jackson, the founder of JCFW and Give to Live Community Foundation began the event as a way to channel giving back to charity through different forms of entertainment like fashion shows and other entertainment events. Over $6,000 of last year’s fashion week proceeds went to local charities like the SnowFlake Foundation, Boys and Girls Club of Hudson County, and The Hope Center. This year the proceeds will go to Covenant House, The Hope Center and other Homeless programs in the community.
The event turned out to be a huge success, many guest arrived early anticipating seeing the designs done by this year’s contestant’s competitors and the beautiful models that grace the walkway. The creative expression displayed on many of the guest in the audience was amazingly beautiful, a few of the guest were able to get up and strut their confidence down the runway. It was wonderful seeing so many people unapologetically being themselves, the audience was loaded with unique individuals using their hair as well as their clothes to express themselves, wearing grey Mohawks, blonde straight hair , and even a black and green high bun.
There were a lot of talented designers in the show; I had the pleasure of meeting a young designer named Victoria Gibbs. Victoria, a nine year old fashion designer/ model begin modeling at the age 6 and later discovered her knack for fashion at her mother’s fashion etiquette class. She began designing at age eight and has since launched two clothing lines, Koo Koo 4 tutu and Candi Drop which is her t-shirt line that caters to both boys and girls.
The highlight of the event was the fashion competition, the high school and college kids displayed their best designs to compete against one another. The competitors presented their best designs before a jammed packed audience and a group of four judges that have also critiqued national fashion events. The teens and young adults presented high fashion designs that were good enough to be mistaken for a top designer’s brand, designs that are bound to help them get recognized by some important people in the fashion industry.
We had a blast! Unfortunately we couldn’t attend other events from the week, but we heard they were all awesome! Thanks so much JCFW!
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