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Image courtesy of Erica Varize

Join local fashion designer, Erica Varize Saturday December 19, 8pm for the grand opening of her new Fashion Café & Student Design Center, 2700 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley. There’s much fun and inspiration to be had with a fashion show and art exhibition showcasing over 20 local student designers and artists.

Five years ago Ms. Varize created the fashion café concept, which allows customers to chose from a variety of Ms. Varize's designs and have them custom made. In addition to designing, for the past two years Ms. Varize has been teaching local middle school and high school students to sew. She starts beginners with hand sewing a scarf. Then they hand sew a muslin purse and move on to machines for the actual purse. “I tell the students that once they learn the basics of hand sewing they can do anything,” says Ms. Varize, who as a child was taught to sew by her grandmother. Three of Ms. Varize's students will be showing off their designs in the event's fashion show.

Added to the arty mix will be local jazz singers Amy Serrata and Taylor Simone, who will be accompanied by Jeremy Moreira. The event is also a benefit for Project Uganda. Several of Ms. Varize designs will be on display, many of which were created using traditional Ugandan fabrics.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to see and support the works of local young artists and designers.

Arts, Camera, Fashion at the Fashion Cafe & Student Design Center, Saturday, December 19, 2009, 8-11, 2700 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley
$8 at the door

Dance card full? Then pop by on Sunday, December 20, 11-5 for a local designer Trunk Show.

For more articles on fashion and style: http://www.examiner.com/x-20624-Oakland-Fashion-Examiner