The Boys and Girls Club of Chicago (BGCC) serves over 13,000 children and teens across the city of Chicago in after-school programs and summer camps. Children and parents have access to 32 clubs across the city. Organizations like these are so important because children need safe play havens to learn, socialize, and just be young!

On Friday, August 7th, the Good Glam Gala will combine fashion, shopping and philanthropy as the event raised money for the BGCC. Attendess will watch a live fashion show featuring the designs of Kate Boggiano and Objets d’Envy jewelry. The glamorous event, held at a stylish Pilsen warehouse (2150 S. Canal), will kickoff at 7p. Tickets are $50, and can be purchased at www.goodglamgala.com.

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"Stardust Fringe" Swimsuit, $97

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim kicks off tomorrow in sunny Miami and runs until Sunday, 7/19. The five day extravaganza will feature shows from swimwear’s hottest designers, parties, and many star-studded events. L*Space by Monica Wise will be this season’s “Mercedes-Benz Presents” designer. The Mercedes-Benz Presents program provides “support the designers that demonstrate dedication to quality materials, unique style, and innovative design.”

During the presentation of her 2010 designs, Wise will unveil a collection of swimwear in partnership with OmniPeace, a brand of clothing which raises funds for charities which promote peace, human rights, education, and the end of extreme poverty in Africa by 2025. The designs, named after African villages, are inspired by the natural landscape and beauty of the continent. The collection will retail for about $130 and 20% of all proceed will be donated to OmniPeace.

The design featured above is just a peek at some of the great pieces created by L*Space. Check out www.lspace.com to browse other items!

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This Friday June 5th, the 5th Annual Capital Catwalk Salon with Byron Lars will take place in Washington, D.C. The event, presented by Simone’s Butterfly, is a fundraiser for the Washington High Tea Society. The High Tea Society (HTS) was founded in 1997 by the Honorable Judge Mary Terrell and uses “afternoon tea” as a vehicle to teach girls that success in the 21st century requires certain life skills, not just street skills. “Exposure,” Judge Terrell says is, “the key that allows a person to feel comfortable not only in their house but in the White House.”

Tickets for the event start at $100 for general admission and $150 for VIP pricing. The Capital Catwalk will be held at the historic Omni Shoreham Hotel (2500 Calvert Street NW, D.C.) and starts at 7p. To purchase tickets and learn more about the event, visit www.capitalcatwalk.com.

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Thanks, Johnica, for the information!

My partner in Red Pump crime, Luvvie of AwesomelyLuvvie.com, attended the AFC annual charity fashion show, and provided a great recap! Thanks for sharing with TFG, Luvvie!!!

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On Thursday, May 7, I went to the AIDS Foundation of Chicago’s annual Make A Statement: Design for the Cure Fashion Show. The show is put on by the AFC’s Junior Board, and this year’s was in recognition of Jack Mackenroth’s “Living Positive by Design“. Jack is a fashion designer who is HIV-positive, and was on Project Runway. Living Positive by Design is his national campaign to combat the stigma associated with the disease, as well as emphasize the need for people with HIV to live their lives positively (no pun intended).

Tickets were $50 early bird and $65 regular price. Being the procrastinator that I am, I didn’t get my ticket until the day of. It was worth it though. The event began with a cocktail reception, and a flowing open bar. I got a chance to meet Jack and he was extremely nice, funny and down-to-earth. Plus those baby blue eyes of his were sooo cute! We chatted for about 5 minutes, and I told him about The Red Pump Project. He thought it was pretty cool and took my card. I took a picture with him too. Yayyyy!    

The Fashion Show began with thanks for the AFC Junior Board and all their hard work. Then Jack gave a short speech about “Living Positive by Design”. Designer Heidi Hess was the Mistress of Ceremony. First up was the line “Kwabena“. The other designers that showed their pieces were Heidi Hess, SkinStinct, 5p1t, Universal Gear, Lara Miller, Kate Boggiano, Serpico, Akira.    

 

Last month, I discussed the MacDella Cooper Foundation Fashion Week Afterparty for charity. If you’re looking for a great recap, then head on over to Marie Claire. They even have pics…The designs by Korto Momolu (Season 5 of Project Runway) look amazing. Check it out here! 

Designed by Korto Momolu

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Photo: Marc Hall Photography

On Wednesday March 4th, the Chicago Fashion Foundation is hosting their 2nd annual Scholarship Benefit, a fashion show featuring the designs of five local design students. These students will have the opportunity to present their designs in a live fashion show to a panel of judges from the Chicago fashion community. The winning designer will receive a $5000 scholarship!

Attendees will be enjoy drinks, light appetizers, a DJ, and silent auction. The first 150 guests will also receive goodie bags (yay!). The event will be held from 6-8p in the Narcissus room at Macy’s (111 N. State). Tickets are $25 for students and CFF members, and $35 for non-members. 

Click here for more details!

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You all remember Isis, from this recent cycle of America’s Next Top Model?

Well, she (along with other models) will be strutting her stuff on the catwalk tonight at Macy’s on State Street (111 N. State St) in a fashion show to foster awareness of HIV/AIDS. Tonight’s show begins at 6p and is one of many events hosted by the Chicagoland World AIDS Day Committee 2008 and will benefit the Center on Halsted. There is a $10 suggested donation and guests will be treated to martinis and appetizers.

Chicago’s 2nd Annual Chicago Latino Fashion Week kicked off last night with a bang at Religion nightclub! The weeklong event will feature fashion shows by some of the rising and established Chicago designers, as well as national and international Latino designers, educational seminars, retail trunk shows, celebrity appearances and VIP parties at some of Chicago’

s hottest spots.

There are two events this week which will raise funds for charitable organizations:

• The San Juan Fashion Group Show. Some of the most recognized fashion designers from Puerto Rico will show their designs on Thursday, October 30 at the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts (777 N. Green Street). Featured designers will include Felix Poll, Lilliam Landron and Tommie Hernandez. There is a cocktail reception by Diageo from 6-7:30p followed by the show at 7:45p. Tickets cost $40 and a portion of the proceeds will benefit MANA of Illinois, an organization whose mission is to empower Latinas through leadership development, community service, and advocacy.

• The “El Fin” Finale Show. Chicago Latino designers will debut their Spring 2009 collections and couture design inspired by their favorite Hollywood screen icons on Sunday, November 2 at the Drake Hotel (140 E. Walton Place). Guests will have the opportunity to shop the vendor showcase from 11a until the fashion show begins at 1p. Featured designers include James de Colón, Orlando Espinoza, Anna Fong, Elda de la Rosa, and Horacio Nieto. Confirmed celebrity guests include actress and icon Rita Moreno, actor Freddy Rodriguez, and ANTM winner Jaslene Gonzalez. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago and the 25th Anniversary of the Chicago Latino Film Festival. The VIP After-Party will be Macy’s (111 N. State St) from 4–6p. Tickets are $75 (show only) and $100 (show and VIP After-Party).

    Rita Moreno (1954)             Freddy Rodriguez                Jaslene Gonzalez

For event and ticket information, please visit chicagolatinofashion.com!

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UPDATE: For pics from the week’s events, click here to visit LatinSocialEvents.com!

If you’re fortunate enough to live in NYC and are looking for something to do this Saturday, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund will host the 3rd annual “Front Row” fashion show at the Roseland Ballroom (239 W. 52nd St).

Lynn Whitfield

This year’s honorary chairperson is Actress Lynn Whitfield (loved her in Thin Line Between Love and Hate) and Fonzworth Bentley is serving as co-chair. This year’s honorees include: Supermodel Beverly Johnson, Photographer Keith Major, Supermodel Tyson Beckford, Fashion Entrepreneur Audrey Smaltz (CEO and Founder of The Ground Crew Worldwide), Make-Up Artist Ross Burton, Celebrity Hair Stylist Oscar James and Ashley Stewart Retail Stores.

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund was established in 1987 and represents 47 public Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Over the last 21 years, Thurgood Marshall College Fund has awarded more than $91 million in scholarships, programmatic, and capacity support, enabling more than 7,500 students to attend public Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

I wish I’d known about this earlier! I’ve been looking for an excuse to go visit NYC. I like the Big Apple in the fall…And, I’ll down for any opportunity to be under the same roof with Mr. Beckford. Just seeing his name inspired my to do a Google image search. Yeah, his body was sculpted by God! And, that’s the absolute truth!

Anyways…

Ticket prices range from $50-$250, and include both the fashion show and after party. To purchase tickets and for more information, please visit the fund’s website at www.ThurgoodMarshallFund.org.

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Jim Spellman/WireImage.com

Over the last 26 years, Macy’s Passport event has combined “fashion and compassion” in support of community HIV/AIDS organizations. Traditionally, the fashion and performance event stays on the West Coast and only benefits organizations in the LA/San Franscisco areas. However, for the first time this year, other cities will have the opportunity to view the show and support our local organizations.

This Thursday, Macy’s Passport: Fashion Cinema will bring the event to movie screens in 27 cities across the US. Attendees will enjoy a hosted wine reception and receive an exclusive Macy’s discount. The Chicago screening will benefit the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and will take place at the AMC River East 21 Cinema (322 East Illinois St). Tickets are $25, but if you head over to aidschicago.org, you can snag 2-for-1 tickets! The reception starts at 7p, and the show starts at 8p!

For more information on Macy’s Passport, please visit macy’s.com/passport!

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