DC fashion event: Celebrities and locals flock to Pink Fashion, Rocks!

The biggest fashion event to come to Washington, DC since Michelle Obama moved-in happens on Wednesday, February 24 at the Long View Gallery in Gallery Place. Pink Fashion, Rocks! is a live fashion show and music event open to the public that will benefit the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and the DC Fashion Foundation.

Famed fashion designer and breast cancer survivor, Betsey Johnson, along with 14 other local fashion designers will be sending one-of-a-kind pink fashions down the runway; each look to be auctioned off following the runways show in a silent auction. The models will be strutting down the runway to a live performance by Baltimore-based rock group, Charm City Devils, fresh off their tour with legendary rock band, Motley Crue and are winners of the iTunes' 2009 Rewind Best New Rock Band.

Just announced Monday, R&B singers Ginuwine and Solé will be attending Pink Fashion, Rocks!, as well as select Washington Redskins’ players. The show even has a celebrity sponsor, the Ted Gibson Salon, who has received accolades from his work on television show What Not to Wear, and most recently, Kate Gosselin’s hair extensions and First Lady Michelle Obama’s new bob haircut.

The event is hosted by PINK JAMS!, a local event and entertainment organization whose events benefit breast cancer research and funding, in partnership with the Greater Washington Fashion Chamber of Commerce (GWFCC).

Founded in June of 2009, PINK JAMS! holds entertainment focused events with the goal of raising breast cancer awareness in younger men and women. Their mission is accomplished by incorporating live music, art, fashion, and the social scene into their strong educational message. Pink Fashion, Rocks! is the first large-scale fashion event for the organization, but PINK JAMS! founder, Christa Floresca, a lifelong native to the DC area says “it will not be our last.”

“We are hoping that encouraging the fashion community to participate in this ‘all-pink’ star-studded affair will be an annual thing,” Christa said.

Already Christa and her staff have been in talks to host the event in other cities “where the fashion community is prominent.”

Each of the participating fashion designers (listed below) has created a signature garment to don the Pink Fashion, Rocks! runway. From hot pink accessories to elegant couture and everything in between, the pink garments will be available for silent auction immediately following the runway and live music show.

“Each Washington, DC designer was asked to create something signature and pink to walk [the runway]. The garments range from high-fashion and couture to pink accessories, ranging in sizes from zero to 12. Each [of the designers] was paired with a real man or women, breast cancer survivor, Washington, DC socialite, or local celebrity [as their model],” said Christa.

To find local designers to participate, PINK JAMS! approached the GWFCC membership and from there, 14 designers who “wished to donate their time and talent to raising breast cancer awareness” were selected.

“GWFCC/ DC Fashion Foundation is very happy to be involved with Pink Fashion, Rocks! It gives the local design talent another outlet to market and promote their business and make the right connections to expand their business while giving back to a great cause,” said Christine Brooks Cropper, president of GWFCC and the DC Fashion Foundation.

It’s precisely those types of fortuitous connections that brought the evening’s most notable designer to work with the event. Betsey Johnson, got involved “during an event here in Washington, DC. Christine from GWFCC had the opportunity to discuss [with Betsey Johnson] GWFCC's upcoming events, [specifically] the partnership with PINK JAMS!, and our plans to host an "all-pink" fashion show. Betsey, a breast cancer survivor, was happy to hear that we were working in partnership to combine fashion and breast cancer awareness in DC. Betsey [is] committed…lending her name and fashions to the event. We could not be more grateful for her commitment to Pink Fashion, Rocks!,” Christa stated.

Honored with the task of congregating the local fashion community and music scene for the event, Christa and the team at PINK JAMS! does not lose sight of what it takes to pull together such a large-scale event in a sometimes fashion-challenged town.

“We are eternally grateful to everyone who has donated their time and talents to make Pink Fashion, Rocks! possible. I hope our guests are impressed and inspired by our community's willingness to come together for such a worthy cause,” she said.

The emcees for the night will be Angie Goff from WUSA-TV, Channel 9, and Kirk McEwen from 105.9 FM, The Edge.

Tickets for the evening are still available. VIP tickets are $150 and include: VIP Seating for the runway show , gourmet fare and spirits at the Premier Reception with musicians, designers, models, and special guests , an exclusive Pink Fashion, Rocks! swag bag to take home , and early bidding to silent auction of pink garments seen on the runway.

General admission is $50 and includes gourmet fare and spirits, the fashion show and concert and the silent auction.

Pink Fashion, Rocks! Designer Listing

Betsey Johnson

Belafigura

Bill Johnson Studio

Ceci G Originals

Cheryl Lofton for Chaudre Custom Clothes

Chez Kevito

Diahna Lynn

Ibhana

KAS Collection

Kustom Looks Clothier