Text, Vivian G. Kelly
Images, courtesy of Academy of Art University
IF you’re in San Francisco in April, here’s a fun charity fashion event hosted by Academy of Art University with a deeper mission – to save the planet. Attend the preview on Friday, April 4, 2008 from 5:00 PM to 8:45 PM at the de Young Museum and go to the Recycled Couture Fashion Show, Auction and Cocktail Party later in the month on Saturday, April 26, 2008 - 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM.
Bay Area fashion designers such as Jessica McClintock, Colleen Quen, Nice Collective, Cari Borja, Verrieres & Sako, Michael Boris and Sara Shepherd join students from Academy of Art University, the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM), City College of San Francisco and in designing one-of-a-kind fashions in ‘real’ sizes made from recycled materials and inspired by the de Young Museum’s permanent collection.
WHAT IT IS:
Every designer involved trekked down to the Vincentian Help Desk to pick their materials from the discard box and witness how The St. Vincent de Paul Society serve the Bay Area’s most needy. Said Sally Rosen, Director of the Help Desk and co-chair of Discarded to Divine, “These gorgeous pieces on the runway all had their beginnings as donated materials, but are now transformed into elegant gowns, fun cocktail dresses and unique evening wraps that anyone would be thrilled to own and wear.”
View images online on their website www.discardedtodivine.org
THE EVENING’s EVENTS:
Watch a great fashion show and attend a “green” cocktail reception with wine provided by French Rabbit in eco-friendly packaging (for every four wines sold, one tree is planted), hors d’oeuvres from local green restaurants such as Roots and Daffodil, compostable SpudWare plates and cutlery made of potatoes and vegetable starch, and 100% natural GuS soda.
After the show, you’ll have the chance to bid on your favorite one of a kind couture outfit.
ABOUT THE ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY:
The Society is one of San Francisco’s major human service organizations with various programs that help those suffering from homelessness, poverty, domestic violence and addiction. For more information, please visit
www.svdp-sf.org
To order tickets, (415) 977-1270 or online at
www.discardedtodivine.org