On Friday evening, many, many designers, fashionistas, and do-gooders gathered together in New York City's Roseland Ballroom in support of trying to help end the atrocities of genocide taking place in Darfur. Since it was the finale of Fall 2007 Fashion Week, the theme of the event was a grand fashion show appropriately titled, Designers for Darfur.
The hosts of the evening were Lydia Hearst Shaw (shown) and Malcolm Harris of Mal Sirrah. The sponsor was Steve Madden who not only presented, but he also provided all of the footwear for the models.
The show was beautifully orchestrated and went off without a hitch. Some highlights were: a long flowing yellow dress with a jewel accent, a stunning floor length turquoise evening dress as well as the adorable children walking the runway. All of the clothing was created in Africa's colors; red, green, black/yellow.
All the items from the show are being auctioned off on ebay right now. All profits will go toward the Save Darfur Coalition so please check it out!
Here is the list of the generous designers involved in the show: Chado Ralph Rucci, Vera Wang, Michael Kors, Carmen Marc Valvo, Naeem Khan, Zero Maria Cornejo, Donna Karan, Heatherette, J. Mendel, Lyn Devon, Jason Wu, Tuleh, Jeremy Scott, Catherine Malandrino, Perry Ellis (Menswear designer), Marc Bower, Jenni Kayne, Nanette Lepore, BCBG Max Azria, Malo, Alice & Olivia, Mike & Chris, Luella Bartley, Carlos Miele, Hollywould, John Bartlett (Menswear designer), Romania Kapadia (Menswear designer), Judith Leiber (handbag designer), Skapparin, Edun, Neil Beiff, Bonnie Young (only children’s designer), Frank Trapiano, Hanni Y, Ericson Beaman, Tori Nichel, Shannon Stokes, Gustavo Arango, L.A.M.B., Elisa Jiminez, Romona Keveza, Joseph Aboud (menswear), Julie Haus, Zang Toi, Mary Ping, Sue Wong, Maggie Norris Couture, Allison Mezey, Charlotte Ronson, Nancy Gonzalez, Chris Aire (fine jewelry designer), Jill Stuart, Derucuny, Y&Kei, Tracey Reese, DDC Lab, Luca Luca.
To see more from this show, read more
Oh, I totally am not getting the Darfur thing- Sadam Hussein murdered hundreds of thousands of people in Iraq and people are griping about how we didn't need to go in there at all, etc., etc. (we've all heard it) but we put a stop to it by taking him down.
But for some reason now Darfur is the the new hot topic and everyone wants us to get involved with another country to stop genocide there. They explicitly do not want our involvement.
Are we to get involved with another country and later be condemned for it or will it be okay because it is being proposed by celebrities and designers? Why is Iraq not okay but Darfur is?
This is just a question that I have had for a long time, I'm not meaning to start a long heated debate.