spéciale de la mode: Dress for Success Helps Women Gain Confidence

Ever thought what would happen if your clothes were lost in a house fire and money was scarce? Or what would you do if you had to flee an abusive relationship and leave most of your belongings behind?

While these scenarios may never happen to you, Loretta Harvey, the Boutique Manager at the Central Virginia chapter of Dress for Success, informed me of the above examples of how the local group is helping women in unfortunate situations.

Dress for Success is a worldwide nonprofit organization whose core mission is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support, and career development tools to help them thrive in work and in life.

As a volunteer Personal Shopper, I understand why Career Center Manager Sandra Thompson is forever chanting the slogan of Dress for Success, which is “It’s way beyond the suit.”

In my fashion, volunteering as a Personal Shopper with Dress for Success is utilizing fashion  for its finest purpose: empowerment!

According to a 2013 study by the International Monetary Fund, “Women, Work and the Economy,” female labor force participation has remained low, around 50 percent. Being that women still fall under the categories of under-represented and under-served, each woman who is referred to be assisted by Dress for Success stands a chance to positively curve that statistic. 

Dress for Success Worldwide began in 1996, funded by a $5,000 inheritance that founder Nancy Nublin received from her great-grandfather. After the local chapter in the Central Virginia area folded six years ago, current Regional Director Shantell Malachi worked passionately to open the doors again in 2012. Volunteer committee organizer Sarah Hobgood reports that since the Central Virginia region re-established the chapter, it has served over 300 women in the area. Even though they are still in the beginning stages – their headquarters is in the basement of the Boulevard United Methodist Church – they are rapidly increasing their impact in the community. 

Dress for Success, which is eligible for contributions through the Campaign of Virginia Campaign (CVC), recently took another step forward to help women in need gain renewed hope in their journey with its first accessories drive. The drive at my department began Nov. 17 and ran through Dec. 5. 

I figured this would be the perfect time of the year for people to edit their closets, and called for black dress shoes and heels (especially, but not limited to, those above a size 9), handbags, and new hosiery. Scarves, jewelry and other accessories were also collected. In those three weeks (not including Thanksgiving break), I was able to collect over 750 items valuing over $4,600 based on Salvation Army Donation Values.

Although I was only calling for accessories, I still accepted donations of clothes and was able to stock the Boutique with more great garments, and was also able to gather items for our Dress For Success Fashion Show where we will have a competition for designers to take the clothing items that we cannot use to give for women to wear for work, and recycle those pieces into a couture piece of fashion which will be judged by a panel of judges. This is one of three competitions we have for our designers. I was very impressed by the items that I collected and look forward to seeing what designers create when we hold the show on April 17, 2015 at the Canal Club in Richmond, Virginia.

EDITOR'S LETTER: December 2013

This coat I found at The ARTisan Cafe at Stoney Point Shopping Center is a wonderful find that is on my wishlist this Christmas! In my fashion, this unique coat says everything I need it to say about me, and I absolutely love the jewel detail on the sleeve. It's intricate, subtle and gorgeously made (all the qualities I am about, if I do say so myself). 

Now that we are officially into the 2013 Holiday Season, tis the season for exuberance! In my fashion, this is the most glamorous time of the year for everyone. When it comes to holiday parties, family gatherings, and the celebration of the New Year, this is the time to be as decadent as possible. It's all about dressing to impress, and what's more impressive than over the top jewelry. This holiday season, your jewelry says everything! All around me I am noticing that the style that stands out the most is all about jewels, and embellishment, and regalia - adorning oneself with fantasy. In my fashion, what is sexy in the summer is skin; but during the winter, jewelry is the new skin. In the cold we are all covered in layers of clothes, so how else is one suppose to catch the eye of that boy across the room at a holiday dinner party. Don't be afraid to think out of the ordinary with how you wear jewelry this season (especially wearing jewels in one's hair as suggested in the December 2013 issue of Vogue). That's why I am so excited to feature the Swarovski Elements Horoscope Calendar in my READing Your Style Series on Astrology. In my fashion, they are excellent visual inspiration for one's imagination as we ponder the extent to which we can create uniquely regal looks for oneself during the holidays.

In my fashion, I am sure I would attract many head turns, and I would be happy to tell anyone to visit The ARTisan Cafe to find other ethnic inspired clothes, accessories, artwork, made by local artists. I will be posting more of some of the merchandise you can buy from the store on my Instagram. Hint: A great place for unique gift ideas!

As you know, #IMFblog is always about thinking outside the box, and how to be 100% unique. With my recent fascination in the zodiac, the point I am trying to send home this month is that by delving deeper into our zodiac and gaining a deeper understanding of our astrological influences, one may be able to conjure even more clever and unique looks to shine above everyone else and say exactly what we want our look to say about ourselves. I love when people want to know why I am wearing a certain item. I think with clothes we should always aim to show people something they haven't seen before. It's about generating intrigue in oneself, and gravitating the people whom you can create a dialogue with. I like when I get to go into detail about why I am wearing an item because it allows me to express my point of view and the way I see the world. Its empowering to know that others are interested in who you are, and in many situations it helps to create greater connections between the people we meet. In my fashion, life is all about learning from other people. Nothing we wear is an accident, and the clothes we put on tell a certain story about ourselves and explains what we are all about. One exudes strength in character when there is a certain intention put into the look we put together for ourselves; that strength of character is what I like to call, style. Hopefully, the stories I share this month about each sign of the zodiac proves entertaining enough for you to inspire world-shaking conversation with old family members, new friends, and potential mates. The idea is to not only impress with your jewelry, but also to go as far to impress others with whats on your brain.

à la mode: *Holiday Season 2012"

Looks from designer Jennifer Carpenter, Lex's of Carytown, and  707 Men's Store at "A Winter Gala" presented by RVA Fashion Week in association with Flames 231, The Firestarter Group and benefitting Dress for Success

I am in utter adoration of this season choices in holiday wear! On my gift shopping excursions this month I was absolutely floored with the fantastic, festive, and fun pieces for consumers to choose from. I am particularly obsessed with all things that shimmer! Glittery, extravagance is most definitely the feel of the moment if you ask me. I feel after 2012 we are making a clean break from the past and headed towards "A New America" with the rise of the younger generation. One of the largest examples of this rise is our President Barack Obama being elected into office for a second term! Barack Obama represents a momentous occasion in history in that his success represents a changing tide in America's demographic   decision making considering the diversity of our nation. American today is diversified in that an more inclusive and tolerant mindset is practically necessary where ever you go in the world in order deal with people on a normal basis. As Vogue says in the first issue of 2013, "Let President Obama's second term be unfettered, inclusive, visionary--even, dare we say it, a little bit fun." As Obama is inaugurated for a second time this coming month, I am excited to see what good Obama will bring the nation, just as much as I am excited that we will continue to see the coveted Michelle Obama and what sartorial genius she will bring women for the next four years. It is no argument that their gorgeous daughters will also be under closer watch sartorially as their adolescence continues in the white house.  

RVA Fashion Week staff working hard backstage.

Back to fashion, this month Dwight and I have found ourselves quite festive throughout our holiday season. If you have caught any of my tweets as of late, you know I have been assisting Richmond Fashion Week prep for this upcoming show season that will occur in April. In November, model calls were held, and two weeks ago, RVA Fashion Week held a Winter Gala at the restaurant, Flames 231, in the trendy downtown Shockoe Bottom area. The Gala supported the Dress for Success Organization whose mission is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Executive director Shantell Malachi, a human resource consultant, puts the groups mission simply in the November 2012 issue of Belle Magazine: "We're getting them started on a journey with confidence." As a part of Style Weekly's "Top 40 Under 40" list, she proclaims, "We want to put her in the correct outfit," she says, "but she's not going on an interview to sell a suit. She's going on an interview to sell herself." At this gala, food, and cocktails were enjoyed as models walked the stretch of the restaurant in this seasons newest looks from local designers, and Richmond business who showed marvelous frocks from high end designers. In my fashion, the looks were spot on in regards to what is happening in fashion of the moment. 

                                                                 

There were many shimmery sequined pieces that I loved because while we are all still sort of in the dumps financially, sequins are a giddy reminder that we will not let our destitution ruin the joy of the moment. As we go into 2013 with higher hopes for financial stability, sequins, glitter, and high octane frocks keep us looking forward towards the goal of a more stable economy. I've noticed that sequined shorts are becoming most popular since last season as people are finding the best ways to pair them with solids or a more basic designed top that contrast well with all the sparkle down below.

Shoes and accessories were shown by Salon VIP, Champagne and Shoes, and Random by Ciera 

Brocaded prints and muted metallic hues are the stand out pieces of the season. Velvet is a fabric that I've seen being used more in design as it offers that sultry shinny sheen that catches our eye in certain looks. Solid colored dresses with this shinny sheen are an easy way to look dazzling at holiday parties and out on the town. An good example this month of this trend was at this year's Ms. Universe Pagent, where the winner, Olivia Culpo, from the USA wore a full, all red, long-sleeved dress with a velvet top which showcased her breast quite voluptuously from the Georges Hobeika Fall 2012 Haute Couture line. Her tight bun coupled with the full bottom of her dress made the look very classic and ladylike, especially when she played with it as she walked—very "Dior-like". It's the first time the U.S. took home the crown since 1997. Local Richmond designer, Jennifer Carpenter, and Lex's of Carytown provided fantastic evening looks that fit these trends.

For men, this season is all about the details. A classic male frame, with intricate design detail is  what will bring most attention. Like I emphasized in November, don't be afraid to mix checkered prints, with metallic ties; mix and match those gingham shirts, with suits that shimmer and shine brighter than the rest of the pack. In my fashion, finding interesting colors is the key. Being daring and pairing "off"colors together will make eyes look twice. Men's clothes were shown by The Phoenix, and 707 Men's Store. 

Local designer Brittany Covington brought interesting, edgy looks that included hunter green velvet pieces. Other local establishments that are located in the Carytown area of Richmond included the stores Roan, and Pink. Roan shared sleek and sexy designer pieces—body hugging dress from Phillip Lim 3.0 whose fabric was light but thick enough keep a women warm, and breathable enough not to feel suffocating. The Helmut Lang pieces were sharp and sculptural, perfect for your run of the mill bad girl. A light gray tank top with black sequin geometrical design detail stood out for me because it was high-end and dangerous looking, while being light-weight, and wearable for the girl. Pink showed some darling florescent colored dresses that I adored because the ladylike A-line design of the dresses was classy, simple, and girly. There was an all hot pink knee length dress I am sure is remembered by attendees of the Gala. Be sure to attend the RVAFW shows to be shown April 15th to the 21st.

"Merry Christmas!"

This show was perfect because this was a great way to get into the feel of the season and mingle. Being that this is the time of the year where one will find multiple holiday parties and celebrations around the city, Dwight found himself on call for a gig of his own. Christmas came early for Dwight wore his sequined shorts at, Joe's Inn at the heart of the fan, where the staff of the restaurant, 8 ½, wound down with each other to celebrate the season. Picture this: you are sitting at the bar, beer in hand, and on comes the classic holiday song, "Santa Baby". Unbeknownst to you, the bar's doors swing open and a boy with a Santa hat and red robe is at the entrance. He slips off the robe and reveals a scantily clad, "gay-Santa helper" who comes sauntering your way wearing nothing but a bell, sequined shorts, glittery candy nipple pasties, and bright red boots. It was a hoot as unsuspecting bar customers watched him spread holiday cheer, even going as far as to stick one of his pasties to someone's head as he walked by—priceless holiday surprise! To get an idea of what he looked like sauntering through the packed bar, see his video below.