DC FASHION NEWS: DCFF ANNOUNCES DESIGNERS FOR DC FASHION INCUBATOR



DC Fashion Foundation Announces Designers Chosen for Inaugural DC Fashion Incubator

DCFI Program Launches with Four Promising Local Designers

January 30, 2012 (Washington, DC) - The DC Fashion Foundation (DCFF) has announced the four designers chosen to participate in its inaugural DC Fashion Incubator (DCFI) program. The designers are Azadeh Tajdivand of her self-entitled Azadeh Tajdivand line, Gennet Purcell of Maven, Tatiana Kolina of My Mooty Booty and Isaiah Butler of Do You Clothing.

The DCFI, located at 760 N Street, NW, will provide a space for the designers to sketch, build and present their designs as well as connect to influential local mentors on brand development, financial planning, media relations, retail presentations and more with the ultimate goal of bringing their products to market and creating a successful economic venture. The designers were selected by criteria developed under advisement of Ayris Scales, Principle of 7 Concepts LLC and the past interim, Executive Director of DC Arts Commission. The panel represented the financial, business and design aesthetic sides of the fashion industry and included Theron Green, VP of Small Business Banking at Bank of America, Susan Clampitt, Commissioner at the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Edward Archer, celebrity stylist and fashion industry entrepreneur, Lee Ann Stevenson of the Di Moda Group and Holeeta Todd, Principal at DC-based clothing manufacturer Cain & Carlyle Clothing Co. and lead designer and resident mentor at DCFI.

"These inaugural DCFI designers were chosen by their potential to develop their brand and designs to be ultimately become a successful business in various markets," says Christine Brooks-Cropper, President and Founder of DCFF and DCFI. "Our goal is to prepare them, as much as possible, to create a new and successful business that will add to job and economic development in the District."

The DC Fashion Foundation supports the local fashion industry of DC to engage and educate the community on fashion as an art as well as a business. The DC Fashion Incubator (DCFI) program has a primary objective to serve as the cornerstone of fashion industry small business development and entrepreneurship in Washington, DC educational programs, workforce training initiatives, and networking and mentoring opportunities for aspiring fashion professionals and entrepreneurs. In addition, 2012 applications for the Fashionably Business program, open to participation by the local design and fashion industry community, will begin in late February.

Additional mentors to these and future designers of DCFI were named as DC Fashion Ambassadors and include Aba Kwawu, Public Relations and Event Production, Adrian Loving, Runway and Event Music, Aureta Thomillori, Influential Blogger, Barbara McConaghy, Renowned Editorial/Celebrity/Runway Stylist, Christopher Reiter, Fashion and Design Retailer, Eric Brewer, Community Leader, Holly Thomas, DC Fashion Journalist, Janice Rankin, Fashion Design Educator, Jennifer Fisher, Fashion Industry Lobbyist, Lynda Erkiletian, Agent to Professiona Models and Stylists, Nora Sommerkamp, Professional Model.

The DCFI is also accepting recommendations of national and other local business mentors to provide technical assistance to the designers. If interested please submit your nomination and resume to Jessica Hoy at Jessica@neuprofile.com

About the DC Fashion Foundation Foundation (http://www.gwfcc.org/index.php/foundation)
The Washington, DC Fashion Foundation (DCFF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created by GWFCC in June 2009 to support the Washington, DC fashion community through educational programs, workforce training initiatives, and networking and mentoring opportunities for aspiring fashion professionals and entrepreneurs. It works closely with GWFCC to undertake the following goals:

  • Increase the business skills and workforce preparedness of fashion entrepreneurs;
  • Improve the quality and availability of fashion design education opportunities for youth and adults in the Washington, DC area;
  • Strengthen the connections and networks that form the foundation of the District's fashion community.


About the DC Fashion Incubator Program of DCFF (www.dcfashionincubator.org)
The DC Fashion Incubator (DCFI) is based on the successful model found in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. DCFI provides resources, infrastructure and programming to nurture the District's budding fashion industry so that it can reach its full potential. The DC Fashion Incubator serves as the foundation of business support for the fashion industry in the District and a model that can be implemented throughout the US. The primary objective of DCFI is to serve as the cornerstone of small business development and support for the fashion industry in Washington, DC by helping fashion entrepreneurs:

  • Develop the appropriate industry skills to become successful artisans;
  • Facilitate and support the launching and growth of their small businesses by providing access to shared work-space and operational resources;
  • Enhance their skill set by providing local training and professional development opportunities;
  • Benefit from cross-fertilization and networking opportunities with other entrepreneurs and professional service providers.

DC SHOPPING EVENT: SHOP JEEN at DELTA GAMMA

DC FASHION EVENT: CRYSTAL COUTURE 2012 IS COMING!


GET READY FOR CRYSTAL COUTURE 2012!

DAILY FASHION DEAL: THE KATE SPADE ALPINE HILLS STEVIE


What a great little bag for a great little price. Get the Alpine Hills Stevie bag at Kate Spade for $88.00.

PRESS: INTERVIEW WITH @READYSETDC ABOUT ME & @FACONMAGAZINE


I was very honored to have been interviewed by one of DC's top fashion sites, ReadySetDC. I love what Jordan is doing. ReadySetDC and fashion:district are such an integral part of the DC fashion scene. So I could not wait to sit down with one of ReadySetDC's writers, Erin Williams to give her the scoop on me and DC's new voice of emerging fashion, façon magazine.
Check it out.

STYLE SPOTLIGHT: B-STYLED BY @BLUEPRINT4STYLE


Fashionista and stylist, Monica Barnett recently relaunched Blueprint for Style with a new look and a new service, b-styled by blueprint Style Club. B-styled by blueprint Style Club is a membership club that provides monthly outfit/look recommendations, as well as, styling tips and tricks of the trade from closet organization to color inspiration to what to highlight and hide based on your body shape. Want in, here's what you need to do:

Easy steps

  • Register for $9/month or $100/year
  • Complete a Style Questionnaire
  • Receive a Style Personality
  • Sit back and get your monthly emails
  • You can upgrade to gold membership to receive a personalized e-solution each month

There you have it. Visit b-styled by blueprint Style Club for more information.

DC ARTS EVENT: ÇA VA MAGAZINE LAUNCH


A SPECIAL INVITATION TO THE PREMIER OF ÇA VA MAGAZINE
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 7 – 11 PM | 9 PM LA DOLCE VITA SWIMWEAR FASHION SHOW
ULAH BISTRO, SECOND FLOOR
1214 U STREET NW

Come out and celebrate the launch of DC's newest international, lifestyle, art, business, and fashion magazine with inspirational stories from around the globe. Join hosts' Amanda Minnie (of MINNIANDA PR) and editor-in-cheif Samira Georgi for an evening of sexy fashion show couture by designer Katya Leoncio of La Dolce Vita Swimwear with makeup by Alina Grechana-Karaman, raffle swag bags, light complimentary h'orderves provided by Ulah Bistro, and international house beats.

A $5 suggested donation is required for the benefit of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

The event will be held at Ulah's private second floor bar and dining area. Full bar, dinner menu, and half-price bottles of wine are available, along with Tuesday's specials of $2.50 margaritas and a three-course dinner for $19.95.

Dress is eye-catching haute couture. Guest list only. RSVP to Amanda Minnie at rsvp@cavamagazine.com.

About the fashion show designer and makeup artist:
La Dolce Vita Swimwear by designer Katya Leoncio
www.ladolcevitaswimwear.com

Model's makeup by Alina Grechana-Karaman
http://www.myfashionsecret.com/
http://www.alinagrechana.com/


Win a raffle swag bag, prizes include:
- La Dolce Vita swimsuit

- S&G Photography session

- 2 tickets to the Smithsonian's hottest summer art party-Asia After Dark

- $100 gift certificate for a haircut from top stylist Aicha of Hair Lounge Salon in Georgetown (http://www.hairloungesalon.com/

-$100 gift certificate for a haircut and deep condition treatment from L.C. Verdine Salon Services (https://www.facebook.com/pages/LC-Verdine-Salon-Services/174541659272282?sk=wall)



**TRANSPORTATION: Street parking available| Metro: U street/African-American/Cardoza)

FASHION DEAL OF THE DAY: HANDBAG HEAVEN GOES CRAZY


Handbag Heaven is having a fab sale today. They have 5 cool bags on sale for $30.00. This blue python crossbody bag is one of them. Get to shopping!

WHAT I WANT NOW: LUCKY BRAND IS SEDUCING ME


I feel so very lucky to find this pair of fab shoes, NANA BY LUCKY BRAND. Visualizing all the outfits that will work perfectly.

FASHION DEAL OF THE DAY: TOOTS FOR JESSICA SIMPSON


If you are confused about the best time to by winter gear, let me school you right quick. Now! Now is the best time. Add these fabulous boots, TOOTS by Jessica Simpson, to your sale list. Get to shopping!

FASHION DEAL OF THE DAY: BCBG DROPS IT HARD


Big trunk jewelry is always in style in my book. Love this gorg draped chain necklace from BCBG.