Fashion fights poverty
By Andrea Cohen
Examiner Staff Writer
Published: Friday, October 28, 2005
Andrew Harnik/Examiner

In a night of slight chaos, hundreds of Washingtonians came out for a cause. In celebration of the United Nations 60th anniversary, the French Embassy hosted a fashion show for Fashion Fights Poverty, an organization committed to alleviating world poverty through the fashion industry. Most people associate clothing production with sweatshops in Third World nations, but many companies are now improving these situations, teaching the craft to women in poverty and then returning the profits to those communities.

The evening featured both haute couture and ready-to-wear lines by designers BethelHelena, Thomas Pink and Rakiyt Zakari, who were showcasing their spring 2006 collections.

In attendance was star Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis, who says he tries to be "a fashion guy" and was in a gray pinstripe suit. "I work with a lot of charities. ... [It is] a great opportunity to give back to the community, no matter what the charity is," he says.

Back to the community

Thursday evening's festivities also included several local jewelry and clothing vendors who sell items made in poor areas of the world as a way to put money back into their communities. One of the vendors, BeadforLife showcased beads made by Ugandan women out of recycled magazines and newspaper which are then glazed. Sweaters by Appalachian Baby Design are made by a women's knitting coop from West Virginia. The clothes that are sold help bring in money for the low-income knitters and their families.