Petersburg: Women in NAACP fashion show illuminates models within special needs community
PETERSBURG — In recognition of National Autism Month, Women in NAACP [WIN] of the Petersburg branch will showcase the distinctive beauty, skills and talents within our special needs community. On Saturday, April 27, the inaugural No Limits Fashion Spotlight will highlight emerging young fashion design students from Virginia State University [VSU] and Petersburg High School.
WIN, who advocates for inclusion, will use fashions to illuminate special needs models' beauty and abilities which makes them truly unique. The models are excited for the opportunity to contribute to society and the community.
Nationally acclaimed designers will also be featured at the event including Leon Parham, Da’Vid Montoya and Tangee Massey Jones.
Atlanta-based Parham, a Petersburg native, studied at The Art Institute of Atlanta—Decatur. He designs fashions for "ordinary individuals with exceptional taste." Petersburg's own Blair Underwood is one of his clients.
"My brand Leon Parham Is more than my fashion designing, it’s the umbrella that everything that I do, clothes and hair, falls under," Parham, an entrepreneur for over five decades, said. "Over the years, my brand styles have evolved to the attitude of 'Some will like it, some will not, but no one should ever forget it.'"
Jones, an artist, fashion designer, internationally published 10-time award winning crochet designer, is a VSU graduate with a major in Textile Apparel Merchandising Management. She learned to crochet when she was in junior high school and became passionate about her mad skills. Her love for fashion and crocheting led her to open Tangee's Closet.
"God has blessed me with the unique talent of designing on site. I can't read a crochet pattern to save my life," Jones said. "My specialty is customized clothing."
Montoya, a professor in the Department of Fashion Design and Merchandising at Virginia Commonwealth University, an instructor in the Textiles, Apparel and Merchandise Management Department at Virginia State University and former senior designer at Madame Alexander Doll Company. He once designed a garment for actress Vivica Fox to wear to the Lady of Soul Awards in 1997 which topped the best dress list.
"Style is finding a space in clothes you feel good in that fit you well that look good for your silhouette. It’s not about the trends and what’s popular, it’s about mixing and matching old pieces with new pieces that suit your personality," Montoya stated in an interview for "TAMM," VSU's lifestyle and fashion publication. His inspiration stems from his own style, conversation with various people, something he might have seen somewhere, and unique fabrics.
WIN: Women in NAACP
The purpose of WIN is to:
Enhance the leadership role of women
Serve as an advocacy vehicle to address the social, economic, political, educational, health and welfare issues affecting women
Advocate for the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual development of children
Support the policies as well as the on-going mission and vision of the NAACP
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Petersburg Public Library's Event Center will be the venue where the distinctive beauty, skills and talents of individuals will be celebrated through an exciting designer showcase. Tickets cost $40 for general admission and $25 for students ages 12-22.
For ticket information, contact Pattie Hertz, chair of the WIN committee, at phwinaacppet@gmail.com or call NAACP Petersburg at (804) 847-7278. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the event is from 6-9 p.m. Petersburg Public Library is located at 201 W. Washington Street.
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This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Petersburg: Women in NAACP presents No Limits Fashion Spotlight
