I am looking forward to the 8th Annual Fashion First runway show Sept. 15 at the ShowBox SODO. My friend Joan Kelly, a.k.a. “The Shoe Lady” is the powerhouse behind this annual event, which is designed to showcase Seattle and Eastside independent fashion retailers, designers, stylists, educators, and students in a presentation that will showcase fall trends.
Eastsider John Curley will once again wow the audience with his auctioneer talents while raising money for Rise n’ Shine, a local nonprofit that provides emotional support, stability, advocacy, and AIDS education for children and teens who are orphaned or who are living with a parent affected by the disease of HIV/AIDS.
Mandy Moon, jewelry designer and wife of NFL Hall of Famer, and TV Personality Warren Moon, was selected to be this year’s celebrity model. Mandy will be wearing the coveted Seattle Magazine Dress down the runway, which was created by Art Institute fashion design graduate Rosalyn Librande. www.fashionfirstseattle.com.
Another fashion event on my calendar is the upcoming International Academy of Design & Technology (IADT) 6th annual Imagine Fashion Show.This year’s event will take place on Sept. 30 at Benaroya Hall and showcases the work of IADT students who are pursuing careers in the fashion industry. As a judge, I will have the opportunity to select this year’s top fashion design student collections before they are modeled on the runway. Imagine is a collaborative affair that will also showcase the accomplishments of students in nearly every program offered at IADT. They come together as a team, where some will develop the Imagine logos and invitations; others will assemble the stage design and develop dynamic video animations.
Those studying fashion and merchandising will have the opportunity to cast the models; select the music; create the makeup and select the accessories to be worn by the models. Exhibits of student work from all the programs at IADT will also be on display this night. It is enjoyable to see the talents of so many students who are preparing themselves to enter these exciting fields. www.iadtseattle.com.
Rose Dennis writes about events in Bellevue and the Greater Seattle area. She lives in Bellevue.
