Fashion and poverty seem like an unlikely pair to be matched up against one another, unless of course it’s between your personal desire for a couture piece and the emptiness of your bank account. Truth is these days, the two just keep running into each other, but on a much larger scale; and this time fashion is alleviating poverty instead of encouraging it. On September 26th, the ethical fashion organization Fashion Fights Poverty (FFP) will be hosting their 4th annual eco-fashion benefit at The St. Regis hotel in Washington, DC.
Each year, Fashion Fights Poverty combines established brands like American Apparel and Donna Karan with premiere eco fashion lines like Edun and Loomstate, alongside emerging talent, to present clothing that is sophisticated and truly sustainable. For the 2008 “America” theme, FFP has chosen to honor not only fashion design, but also American ingenuity. “In this historic election year where the focus is change and innovation, we believe, to be an American is to conceive and build innovative solutions to our common problems,” says Michael Dumlao, Co-Founder and Creative Director of FFP.
Fashion Fights Poverty brings attention to eco designers and organizations who use fashion, artisanship, and creativity to build long-term economic opportunity in poverty stricken communities. This year’s runway will feature designs from eco and ethical lines by Kayce Armstrong, Mae, Annatarian, Adele Wechsler and local DC menswear designer Eric Finn.
Images from Fashion Fights Poverty will be presented in their 2008
Dress Responsibly lookbook- a catalog of chic, contemporary, and ethical designers like Jack Mackenroth of Project Runway,
Linda Loudermilk, Edun, and Simply Soles. The lookbook will be available online and limited editions will also be available. A percentage of sales from each lookbook will go to
Nest, FFP’s 2008 beneficiary. Nest is a nonprofit organization which provides microfinance loans to artisan women in the developing world, helping them create sustainable entrepreneurial businesses as well as providing them venues to sell their unique goods.
Co-host Marissa Feinberg of Green Leaders Global and designer Linda Loudermilk, who was honored that evening, hug on the red carpet.
Over 600 guests attended, some in the VIP balcony treated to tasty octopus confections by ilili, while the rest munched on organic potato chips in the gallery below.
