The beautiful people were out for the Fine Art + FASHION benefit presented by the National Black Arts Festival. Guests turned it out in grand style for the upscale event which started with a VIP opening reception, followed by a spectacular fashion show and ended with an after party with the get up and dance mixes of the sensational Frank Ski. (more…)
The National Black Arts Festival is stepping out in high style and celebrating art, fashion and talent on February 25 at the AmericasMart. This is an event that you won’t want to miss! Personally, I am extremely proud to announce that UrbanCouture senior designers Claire Buyens and Jhari Ponder are being honored with the Emerging Talent Award. You may remember Claire and Jhari from Doggies on the Catwalk where they designed for actress Catherine Dyer and tv and radio personality Frank Ski.
In addition to the Men of Fashion and Emerging Talent Honorees, Saks 5th Avenue is presenting an exciting fashion show and actress/author Victoria Rowell is the special celebrity guest and your lovely host.
The evening kicks off with a red carpet VIP reception and ends with an after party that you’ll definitely want to be a part of with Frank Ski and Latin band Rio Negro. Who can resist this talent!
Now, this is an evening of sophistication but it also has a very real purpose: Why Support Fine Art+Fashion?
**All proceeds from Fine Art + Fashion support NBAF’s Education and Family Programs
including the popular Children’s Education Village, Youth Leadership Initiative, teacher
training programs and humanities programs. Supporting Fine Art + Fashion, helps to
ensure that NBAF may continue to build on its rich experiences and broaden its reach
year-round locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.
Kelly Nelson of the Maverick Group joins Fine Art + Fashion Co-Chairs Tamara Bowens Kimble of The Dawson Group and Holli Hines Easton of Origen Partners Inc. Photo by Ninh T. Chau
NBAF CEO & Executive Producer Neil Barclay (2nd right) shares a moment with Imara Canady, Center for Civil and Human Rights; Tanya Rodriguez, Fine Art + Fashion Patron Party Chair; and Sandra Anderson Baccus, Fine Art + Fashion Honorary Chair and prominent philanthropist. Photo by Ninh T. Chau
Evelyn Mims & Angela Karatassos. Photo by Ninh T. Chau
Frank Ski & JeNika Thomas. Photo by Edward Helm.
Sally White & Fine Art + Fashion Event Producer Judy Hanenkrat. Photo by Edward Helm.
Patron Party Chair Tanya Rodriguez (center) is joined by ‘Men of Fashion’ honorees (l-r) Stan Mukoro, Angel Ramos, Harold Dawson, Jr., John Eckel, Alex Kinjo and Allan Flam. Photo by Edward Helm.
Here’s how you can be part of this amazing benefit:
o Reserved seating in the front row for one (1)
o Invitation to special Pre-event Party at Saks Fifth Avenue
o Invitation to the After Party
o Complimentary Valet Parking
o Saks Fifth Avenue Gift Bag
Fashionista Seating at $250
o Reserved preferred seating for one (1)
o Invitation to special Pre-event Party at Saks Fifth Avenue
o Invitation to the After Party
o Complimentary Valet Parking
o Saks Fifth Avenue Gift Bag
Individual Seating at $125
o Seating for one (1)
o Saks Fifth Avenue Gift Bag
Article by: Joel Goldsmith
Teya Ryan, GPB President & Brennan
Look out London! Move over Milan! Not this year New York! 2010 belongs to
Atlanta Grady High’s young fashion design team UrbanCouture. Doggies On The Catwalk took place Friday in the studios of Georgia Public Broadcasting (GBP).
Local celebrities sporting UrbanCouture’s original student designs escorted pooches garbed in coordinating outfits down the runway before a packed house. What I saw was an impressive display of the creative talent of these student designers. It did not take a leap of faith to envision seeing some of their works strutting down a runway in New York someday.
Holly Firfer & Barnsley. Designer, Kelsi Eccles.
Holly Firfer, Atlanta Radio and Television Personality, hosted the event. She looked stunning in a beautiful dress designed by student designer Kelsi Eccles and kept the event moving along, never missing a beat even when some of the dogs tried to steal the show.
The fashion designs for the human models were incredible. In keeping with current trend, leather, metallics and beautiful earth tones were in full use. However, it was the way these timely materials were utilized in conjunction with other materials and creative techniques that truly highlighted the original ideas of the designers.
The dogs were fabulous, though not as easy to control as the human models. The runway was accented with moments of humor as the dogs exercised their independent minds; stopping in mid-strut, heading off in any direction or just plain sitting down and pandering to the crowd.
While the designs for the humans demonstrated how talented these students are, the dog fashions showed how creative the designers could get in not just “getting out of the box”, but in “burning the whole box up”, as one student, Lakisha Beauford put it. Creating outfits for dogs took the whole design element and turned it on its ear. When you consider how different a dog’s body is from a human’s, you can imagine how innovative these students had to be.
All in all, I saw beautiful gowns, stunning uses of leather, great patterns, vests and sweaters and a beautiful coat worthy of the retail world. The word of the night was definitely original. The designs were absolutely current and fit today’s trends, while still maintaining the signature of each of the individual designers.
The full house not only showed the high level of enthusiasm for these students’ designs, but also was a complete success as all the proceeds will benefit Atlanta charity, Pets Are Loving Support (PALS). PALS provides pet care and support to the pets of critically ill, disabled and senior Atlanta residents.
If you missed out on attending the live event, you absolutely must tune in and watch it broadcasted on GPB, on January 23 at 3pm & January 24th at 7pm. You will no doubt find yourself wishing you could run to the boutique and purchase these fantastic designs.
Jennifer Mayerle & Orson. Designer Sarah Darrow.
Michele Caplinger & Fletcher. Designer, Jennifer Ramirez.
Miss Sophia & Bailey. Designer, Lakisha Beauford.
Angela Karatassos & Daisy. Designer, Sarah Collins.
Rob Marciano & Sybil. Designer, Lakisha Beauford.
Catherine Dyer & Gracie. Designer, Claire Buyens.
Tracye Hutchins & Alex. Designer, Brenae Wright.
Frank Ski & Mena. Designer, Jhari Ponder.
Wendy Babchin & Jazz. Designer, Savanna Sweeny.
Kitsy Rose, Bubbles & Coco. Designer, Maia Miller.
Suchita Vadlamani & Giselle. Designer, Taylor Alford.
Jessica Dauler & Gatsby. Designer, Taylor Alford.
Veronica Best & Simone. Designer, Mychael Knight.
Tom Sullivan & Sir Calvin. Designer, Shelby Rudd.
Richie Arpino & Stotsky. Designer, Jhari Ponder.
Corinna Allen & Osborne. Designer, Destini Rhone.
*All images are courtesy of Scott Reeves Photography.
From Vincent:
I want to give a heart-felt thanks for all the love and support from the community. Thank you Georgia Public Broadcasting for this incredible opportunity — you have brightened and enriched the lives of 13 magnificent teenagers. (Dan Hodlick, you’re phenomenal!) Everyone had a blast while raising awareness and funds for a great organization, Pets Are Loving Support. (We have raised nearly $5,000!)
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
e vincent martinez
Fun pre/post show images:
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