Vacation Resorts: Artisans and Travel in Mexico

Art For Progress Presents Fashion Interaction: Tuesday, September 9th, 11am-10pm, 320 Studios, 320 W. 37th Street, 14th Floor

New York (Bluehost) August 29, 2008 -- In response to the tireless parade of runway shows during New York Fashion Week, New York City's Art For Progress will present its designers this year with a new twist, and it's called Fashion Interaction. Since 2004 AFP has been an active participant in New York Fashion Week as well as Miami Fashion Week, and the group has produced numerous traditional runway shows. Thanks to some great feedback from industry folks, this year will be different. Six designers from the US and London will present their Spring 2009 collections through installations, performance art, dance, film, and music in a day-long celebration of fashion. That's right. It will be an entire day. So, if you're running behind because of someone's late-running show, there's no need to worry. AFP's event will run the entire day and end around 10PM.

Art For Progress presents Fashion Interaction

With an eye toward international talent, Art For Progress (www.artforprogress.org) has brought together creative individuals who can collectively have a bold presence on the fashion landscape. In 2007 we broke new ground and featured the first mainland China-based designer to show in New York Fashion Week, Mr. Lu Kun. Since last year's show, he has become a sensation in Shanghai. This September, we are excited to bring a new and special format to Fashion Week.

As an arts organization, we feel it is time to introduce a fresh, artistic alternative to the traditional runway show. By collaborating with artists, filmmakers, and performers, Art For Progress will bring together six exciting, interactive installations by six exceptional designers. Public Acts of Decency, a Brooklyn-based dance company, will also be performing throughout the day. Held at the beautiful 320 Studios (www.320studiosnyc.com), it will certainly be a breath of fresh air.

The Designers:

Ricardo Ramos

Ricardo Ramos, a London-based womens wear designer, has enjoyed great success during the past year. In March, he won the Art For Progress "Clash of the Artists" international fashion competition, winning out over designers from the Netherlands, Paris, and the United States. In April, he also had a well-received show during London's Alternative Fashion Week. The dual-national Spanish-born Colombian designer will be featuring his collection "Back to the Roots," a creative, inspired collection of dresses displaying a unique convergence of his cultural heritage and experience. The Spanish flavor, ancestral patterns from the Kuna Native Colombian Community and African influences are key elements of this collection, reflecting the richness of Hispanic culture. With a well-established international following, we are excited to premiere his line during New York Fashion Week.

Casa de Rodriguez

Casa de Rodriguez (www.casaderodriguez.com), a line of cool, creative, hand-crafted hats, accessories, baby and home accessories was created by David and Jody Rodriguez in 1992. With their lively shop and studio on Stanton Street in Manhattan's Lower East Side, they have developed a following of downtown darlings, as well as celebrities such as Alicia Keys, Lindsey Lohan, and Snoop Dog. Casa de Rodriguez is a fashion house and manufacturer designing a lifestyle brand of hand made-to-order luxury products for men, women, and children. The Rodriguez brand is characterized by having uptown chic with a downtown groove. Their line has been sold at Bergdorf Goodman, Barney's, Nordstrom and Henri Bendel.

BSIXTEE6

Briian Dargon, the creator of BSIXTEE6 (www.bsixtee6.com), has been steadily climbing the fashion ladder of success over the past five years. His line of hip, casual hand-crafted pieces include menswear, womens wear, accessories, and childrenswear. No two pieces are exactly alike and every item is hand-sewn and can be customized for the client. BSIXTEE6 has been featured in editorials from Japanese Vogue to CLIK Magazine, as well as hip-hop music videos. The BSIXTEE6 line has been sold in Japan, London, Detroit, Atlanta, North Carolina, Virginia, California, Chicago, Texas, Puerto Rico as well as New York. BSIXTEE6 has a strong, devoted following of clients from the music industry and celebrities such as Erykah Badu and Tony Sunshine.

Luis Gamble

Luis Gamble is a Dallas-based designer with a well-established clientèle. As a costume designer, his work has been worn by the New York City Ballet and the cast of "Hello Dolly" and "My Fair Lady." For the past several years he has worked as a freelance designer and art consultant, specializing in the bridge and couture market. His work has been shown in private trunk shows at Sak's Fifth Avenue, Henri Bendel and Nordstrom in North America and Canada. His signature line and private commissioned art textiles are sold and exhibited in Museum and Gallery shops in the Americas and Canada.

Prizy Sebastian

Prizy Sebastian (www.prizysebastian.com) is a New York-based designer of beautiful dresses, fitted & flowing skirts, delicate, lightweight tops and elegant jackets. Details such as subtle pin tucking, soft gathers, and sophisticated pleating are integral elements in her clothing. Her four year old line has been sold in several boutiques in Brooklyn, the Hamptons, and St. Louis as well as featured in www.unsungdesigners.com. She has also developed a following of dedicated women who love her elegant style. Currently her collection can be found at EDGE*NY.

Allyson Jacobs

Allyson Jacobs (www.allysonjacobs.net) is a New York-based custom designer of luxury-level womens wear. Utilizing a penchant for European fabrics and exotic skins, her line is inspired by the art that surrounds her. As the fashion director of Art For Progress, artistic influence has become intrinsic to her work. Her present collection is inspired by the pop art of Roy Lichtenstein. Utilizing hand-painted brush strokes on silk, along with bendey-dotted images using sequins, the collection is comprised of vibrant Italian silk, Alencon lace, and Sea Island cotton. The collection encompasses a total look, from day wear to cocktails and evening wear.

For your information

In late fall, Art For Progress will be partnering with a new, innovative international concept showroom and retail space, Room 247. Art For Progress and Room 247 will bring together the worlds of international fashion, art, film, and music. This industrial, dynamic environment will certainly be a "go-to" place for the latest and best in emerging, artistic designers from around the world.

About Art For Progress

Art For Progress (AFP) is a New York based 501(c)3 non-profit organization committed to celebrating the arts, cultivating emerging artists and designers, and developing a diverse creative community with an on-line presence. We organize special events throughout the year that involve multiple artistic mediums, including performance, music, fashion, film and the visual arts, and we have a strong, diverse community of artists. We also have a vibrant arts education program which provides educational workshops and classroom instruction to children in the most under-served communities of New York City.

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