Safe House Fashion Show Go behind the scenes with Graciella and see what it takes to put on an amazing charity fashion show. Story By: Graciella Colmenares Photography by: Gedalya Krycer, Unknown
As a fashion student here at the Art Institute,
This year, Safe House wanted to incorporate
that Safe House worked with called The
ballrooms. Along with Sabreena and Aaron,
I am always looking for ways to build my
a fashion show that would somehow fit
Giving Store. The Giving Store is similar to
I also had help from FRM students Autumn
resume and my portfolio. Whether if it’s
the theme of what they stood for as an
a Salvation Army, where they willingly take
Meyers and Tamara Croft. Aaron, Autumn,
volunteering my time as a peer mentor, giving
organization. After brainstorming out some
donations from the community. Also, Safe
and Tee were in charge of any back stage help,
my input about fashion for a blog, or creating
ideas, I came up with the concept called
House takes their unused clothing from the
which consisted of making sure the models
something for a school project, I try to put a
“Empowering Women through the Ages”,
shelter and donates them to the Giving Store
showed up, that they got through hair and
100 percent into it all, with the sole purpose
where models would dress up as historical
so they can sell it for profit. Excited to see
makeup, helping them fit into their outfits,
to mentally collect my accomplishments and
female figures that helped revolutionize
what treasures we would find in the store,
and accommodate their models with
proudly list them down on paper.
women’s rights. After creating an outline of
Annette set up a day with the owner where
anything else.
the event and compiling a list of historical
we could go in and pick things out.
But it wasn’t until recently that I was
women, it was time to get to work!
reminded of something: That even as a
In order to eliminate confusion, I assigned With the help of Sabreena and FRM students
Aaron, Autumn, and Tee each six models to
fashion major, the work I do isn’t just about
The Preparation
Aaron Baguinon and Atiya Clemente,
work with throughout the show. This made
putting something down on my resume
To plan this show successfully, I worked
we rummaged through racks of clothing,
the process of monitoring the backstage area
for everyone to see, but to really enjoy the
closely with Safe House’s Outreach
shelves of shoes, and glass cases of jewelry
stress-free and a lot easier for them.
experiences I have and learn from them.
Coordinator, Annette Scott and their student
until our outfits were set and ready for the
intern, Sabreena Hassim. Being a Women’s
show. A week before show time, Sabreena
For the show, we had the pleasure of working
Back in March of this year, my fashion
Studies major, Annette was very helpful in
and I had asked our models to meet at the
with some very talented people. A production
director, Sara Brinckerhoff, had encouraged
picking out which women in history made a
Giving Store for their final fittings.
company named GlamSquad702 was in
me to coordinate a fashion show for a
great impact on society.
non-profit organization called Safe House.
charge of setting up the Safe House event. Our models ranged from workers of the
They also provided make-up artists and hair
I gladly accepted the role and thought how
The list included inspiring women such as
Safe House shelter, workers of the Safe
dressers for the fashion show portion
great it would be to put “Fashion Show
Madam CJ Walker, Eleanor Roosevelt, Rosa
House office, and volunteer students and
of the event.
Coordinator” down in my resume.
Parks, and Malala Yousafzai . With a total of
friends from the Art Institute. As each model
18 volunteer models, we picked out historical
came in to try on their outfit, anticipation
Our models were thrilled to have their hair
Later on, I did more research and found that
women that each model represented the best.
and excitement built up, making me more
and make-up done, which really put the look
Safe House was an organization that took in
After drawing up the final list, it was time to
confident that this fashion show was going
together for every model. Another person
and helped battered women, children, and
pick out clothing and accessories.
to be a hit.
we were able to work with was a lady named
on Mother’s Day weekend called Pretty in
At first, we weren’t sure which stores
It’s Showtime!
Trunk Show Specials. Coni runs an online
Pink. This fundraiser is a luncheon where
would be best to work with for the show.
May 9th was finally here and my team and
retail store where she sells beautifully made
they feature a guest speaker, silent auction,
After weighing our options, we decided it
I were ready to go. The event took place at
jewelry, handbags, and scarves. She also
and some form of entertainment.
would be best to partner with a thrift store
the M Resort Spa and Casino in one of the
believes in giving back to the community, so
Coni Meyers, the founder and owner of
men. Every year, Safe House hosts a luncheon
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