Fashion for a Cause

By Tunya Griffin

Rochester Fashion Week was one of the most talked about events in Western New York. Did someone say Fashion week? Yes, you heard me correctly Fashion week. Rochester, New York dedicated a whole week to feature some of the best fashions boutiques’, art, and designers in Western New York. But most importantly Fashion week has a specific goal and that was to raise $30,000 for the Center for Youth Services. Fashion week of Rochester had a strong desire to give back to the community; insomuch that they adopted or youths Chrysalis House to be the primary beneficiary. The funds that were raised for fashion week were used to help the Center for youth to flourish and grow. According to the website, The center for youth services is an organization that is the best organization to turn to for young people seeking to deal with, explore, or understand issues of importance to them - from their perspective, and on their terms. Started by kids, for kids, all Center services - from counseling, to shelter, to education, to referrals - are rooted in, and delivered with the knowledge that youth want to, and can, take responsibility for their life choices. Elaine Spaull, Executive Director for the Center for stated in the Art of Fashion handbook that “Fashion week has claimed Chrysalis House, our newest homeless program at The Center for Youth, as its beneficiary for all the profits and proceeds that are raised. The young women and their children who live at Chrysalis House have already experienced the generously of Fashion week, with so many gift cards and contributions made resulting from the “Party with a Purpose” events.

Shawn Dunwoody, 37 is the visionary for fashion week and the owner of Four Walls Gallery where the actual fashion show occurred. I had an opportunity to speak with Beth Laidlaw, a philosophy professor at Monroe Community College that stated, “Shawn has always been committed to doing things to build up the community.” “We’re celebration the creator,” stated the Democrat and Chronicle. “We achieved exactly what we wanted to do, and that was to give back to the community and the center for youth services,” exclaimed Meghan McNamara Mundy

The fashion soirée started on Thursday, Sept. 30^th through Saturday, October 2^nd. The World of Fashion was the first event that consisted of a boutique crawl. Guests were shuttled to six participating boutiques; each boutique hosted a unique show highlighting the boutiques latest fashions on Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. “Fashion week festivities was donated to help keep the crawl free,” says Meghan McNamary Mundy. I could not believe what I was seeing; many people were entering the shuttles. I cannot remember seeing this amount of people entering shuttles since the Buffalo Bills Football game. One bus will picked up at St. John Fisher College with scheduled stops that started in Pittsford and moved over to the city shops. The second bus will meet at Village Gate in Lot B, and it dropped off guests at the Rochester boutiques before moving into Pittsford. As we arrived, the shops are rolled out the red carpet, insomuch that I felt like a SUPERSTAR.

There were numerous stores and many people everywhere, it was if were a huge “party for fashion.” People were not afraid to interact with one another. It seemed as though we all things in common on that day and the commonality was that we all have an ‘addiction to fashion’. Cindy one of the persons I met on the bus ride kept saying, “Can you believe that Rochester is doing something like this;” I nodded my head in agreement. During the tour, I established new friendships, talked with many people; and I gave lots of hugs. Anyone looking from the outside in would have thought we all knew each other for a lifetime. There was such a great synergy and did I forget to mention that the tour was all part of ensuring that the $30,000 was raised in order to help The Center for Youth Services. The stores that were included in the crawl were: TRU by Nicole in Pittsford that served gourmet chocolates and fruits. Cornell's Jewelers in Pittsford featured the new Ivanka Trump line of jewelry and give away an 18 karat gold bracelet as well as gift certificates. Mann's Jewelers in Brighton featured an Ippolita truck show that displayed the hottest fall color gems in shades of green and brown. In addition, many of the jewelry stores paired up with Dado Boutique that provided fall fashions; while shoppers sipped on champagne and nibble on strawberries. Suzanne's in Pittsford offered rolling dice discounts and served meatballs as appetizers. The next store called Eye Candy provided a disc jockey that had live music. Last but not least was Solia in Pittsford who served drinks and finger foods. By the end of the tour I was excited in anticipation of the next day.

It was October 1^st and the day seemed as it were going rather slowly so I decided to contact Meghan McNamara Mundy, Chief fashion officer for the Rochester Fashion Week to see how things were going. As she answered her phone, I could hear the excitement in her voice and the busyness in the background. As a result, I made my phone contact brief. I congratulated Meghan on this exciting night, and I expressed how to see her at the show. She thanked me and agreed she could not wait for us to meet. Finally it’s 6:00 p.m. and I arrived at the FOURWALLS Art Gallery. When I walked up to the door, I was handed a black marker so that I could sign THE RED CARPET. As I progressed through the door there were people upstairs and boutique displays downstairs. I progressed to the upstairs, and there were chairs all over, runway stage, and a drink bar. I was greeted with a warm smile and a “Hello welcome to Rochester Fashion Week.” I was taken back, because I was expecting to the one-on-one attention that I received. After speaking with the ladies who had taken my ticket, I then proceeded downstairs; the first person I spoke with was Aaron Millien. Aaron is the assistant to her good friend Kristen Halogen who is the owner of Gocks Frock clothing line. “She started in her home and when things started to take off she opened her business in the city of Rochester on East Main street,” stated Aaron Millien. As I viewed some of the pieces that are individual crafted by hand and are designed specifically for children; I immediately fell in love with the entire line. The custom flower girl dresses, the double-daisy in lime dresses, and the jump for joy handmade double layer bow tie twirl dresses, all had me captivated. Kristen line reminded me of the great melting pot of America, which consist of all ethnicities from all over the world. For more details on her line, visit her website at www.etsy.com.

The next boutique downstairs that I stopped by was called Solia that is located in Pittsford, NY. I had an opportunity to speak with Sue Phillips, one of the owners of Solia boutique, 3122 Monroe Avenue. She has been in business for approximately 43 years. I asked Sue, “Has the economy affected your business?” Sue responded, “The economy has affected my business, in that it is a little slower than normal; however since fashion week my business has picked up tremendously.” This is the first time that I have participated in Fashion Week, but it won’t be my last,” added Sue.  Solia boutique carries approximately 20 different designers; starting point is Jeans 40 different style Jeans. As I walked over toward the dresses, my mouth literally dropped, as I admired dresses by Black halo – Jackie O dress. In addition the Black halo-Jackie O dress was featured in Cosmopolitan by singer Fergie. “Many of our pieces are unique, and we do not carry too many of one style,” added Sue. I am so glad to be part of Rochester Fashion Week, because it’s for a good cause,” exclaimed Sue.

After speaking with a few designers and boutique owners, I headed upstairs and to my surprise the crowd was growing, and growing. There were photographers all over the place. People congregated around the stage. All I could say to myself was that I am so glad I purchased my ticket early. I was seated in the second row so I had great visibility. Lights, Camera, Action; the show was on its way. Commentators Samia and SeiJnSei wowed us with their extremely powerful opening. The Art of Fashion is a collaborate group of artists, design, and beauty professionals who strive towards arts promotion, cultural diversity, and community engagement through fashion; enjoy the show;” exclaimed SeiJnSe. I knew I was in for something special, as the models sashayed down the runway for a good cause. There were a couple of things that stood out to me: Black Pearl Fashion Designs, and the message given by Elaine Spaull, Executive Director the Center for Youth Services. 

Black Pearl Fashion Designer, Arlene A. Sutherland models and designs left me speechless. I could tell that she had put a lot of time and thought into the models she had chosen as well as the designs she displayed. Afterward I had an opportunity to speak with her briefly. Her facial expressions exuded joy. As I spoke with her, I could sense that she was humbled by the whole experience. A young girl all the way from Kingston Jamaica dream is coming true. “Tunya, Tunya; I can’t believe this is happening to me,” exclaimed Arlene. “God is so good to me, he is so good,” she kept exclaiming. “As a result of participating in Rochester Fashion Week, I have been presented with so many opportunities,” added Arlene. “It is a true saying, when you give back it comes back in so many ways that you never can imagine,” exclaimed Arlene. We have given to a good cause, The Center of Youth Services, I am so happy we could be a blessing to them, and I am so happy that I was chosen to be part of this amazing experience,” she added. You can visit Black Pearl Fashions in the city of Rochester New York on 772 N. Clinton Avenue.

As the night progressed, Shawn Dunwoody brought Elaine Spaull forth, Executive Director for The Center of Youth. Elaine expressions were expressions of thankfulness. “Give Shawn Dunwoody a hand isn’t he great,” expressed Elaine. “We are here because of Shawn and isn’t Rochester the greatest place to live, this is a life change when these guys walked into our life and took us to another level; we serve over 2o,000 children and we would not be able to serve them without the community effort,” added Elaine. “I am so happy that we were as the charity to receive the funds from Rochester Fashion Week, exclaimed Elaine. According to the brochure Elaine stated, “At the Center for Youth, our talents are best used when working to provide supports and services for our children. Certainly the funds will be distributed just for that to provide support services for our children.

Time was winding down and the show was ending, but there was announcements made that people could stay around and enjoy one another’s company and get-to-know people they had never met. For me, I took this opportunity to interview Meghan McNamara Mundy, Chief Fashion Officer. Meghan had on a smile that lit up the whole room. The former graduate from the Fashion Institute of Technology and The Fashion Therapist for Her Rochester gave me her insights on how she felt the evening went since this was her first time overseeing The Rochester Fashion Week event.

Tunya: what are your thoughts about how the event went tonight?

Meghan: “I am over the moon, I can’t believe the responses, and how people came out. I love the merging of all the worlds; the big designers and little designers. I believe that we accomplished what we wanted to do.

Tunya: Who was your favorite designer that was showcased tonight?

Meghan:  Kristen Halogen who is the owner of Gocks Frock clothing line. I loved the fullness of the clothes, brightness, and  it was fun. I think it is edgy!  I can see myself wearing this line, friends, and children. I have two teenage daughters and they go in my closet all the time. Most importantly,  I am always looking for getting the most bang for my buck.

Tunya: What’s your next move?

Meghan: We called it The Rochester Fashion week, but it was three days and our idea is add another day each year. I don’t’ know, I do know what my next move actually will be, but what I do know is that, I will be doing this again next year.

Tunya: How did you decide on the Charity?

Meghan: The Charity that Elaine Spaull and I are both moms. This is a charity that was started by teens for teens and it was serendipitous relationship. The Center for youth was just opening on a Tuesday and I went out to see the new home and it touched my heart, it was like magic. I have done charities before, but this one is the first one that I actually set a goal, and met the goal and I was so connected to this Charity. It was like a match made in heaven.

Tunya: Did you meet your goal?

Meghan: Yes, we did.

My Final thoughts are:

Finally fashion for a cause will be a yearly event where people can get involved and support The Center for Youth Services. The Center for youth Services website is www.centerforyouth.net.  Elaine’s words were ringing in my mind, “this is a worthy cause!”  It has been said whatever you make happen  in facilitating someone else dream;  God will make happen for you. In addition, remember there is something you learn from helping other people with their dreams that prepares you for your own. Bishop TD Jakes.