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UCOF Academy Celebrates Dreams with Fourth Annual Gala
NEW YORK, NY (October 8th, 2014) – Tonight, United Colors of Fashion Inc. will celebrate the hard work of our students at the fourth annual Gala, taking place at the historic Lexington Avenue Armory, New York at 6:30pm. This year the Gala theme; “Paper Dreams: Writing New Runways,” pays homage to the dreams of the students, who are ultimately the driving force behind the mission UCOF has to empowering youth through fashion education. It is the dreams they have written down on paper that will redefine the fashion industry of the future. In essence, they are now writing new runways, which will change fashion in ways as different as their dreams are. This year, the UCOF Gala is all about the students and in preparation for their fashion debut they will present their own collections on the night. In addition, they are giving their seal of approval of the theme with a collection of paper dresses, which will be put on display.
The students have gone through the year in training to build their own collections, which have exceeded even their expectations. Throughout the entire experience our students have learned in the areas of design, marketing, merchandising and production, which have allowed them to showcase their spectacular collections tonight.
“From assisting backstage at fashion shows to learning how to produce a fashion line and showcasing it – United Colors of Fashion allows us to do it all. They offer you free fashion education classes, design mentorship and a platform for you to express and discover your creativity, helping you to evolve,” says Desiree L. Patton, a UCOF student.
In keeping with dreams, this Gala is also about honoring individuals who followed their dreams and continue to provide inspiration to so many hopeful youth for their own aspirations. This year UCOF is honoring model Devyn Abdullah, who won Season 1 of The Face as their Model of the Year. Devyn is a perfect example of how hope and faith delivers the believer into the embrace of their dreams. Meck Khalfan, CEO of Puku and the brain behind the ultra stylish and efficient Puku charger will receive the Techno Innovator of the Year Award. Our third honoree is designer and luxury brand owner Malan Breton who will receive the 2014 Fashion Icon of the Year Award. Our honorees have defied great odds to be the respected, successful people they are today and their humility and generosity makes them most deserving of these accolades.
“This year our Gala is all about the students as it should be, considering our entire mission revolves around them. Our goal for this Gala is to raise $500,000 which will enable us to continue our free fashion education and expand our UCOF Cares missions to Haiti. This organization started as a dream, and now we are making dreams come true. It is this cycle we wish to encourage at this year’s Gala where guests will help us put the dreams of our hopeful youth on the conveyor to success,” says President Ciano Clerjuste.
The Gala will commence with an intern exhibition and a cocktail reception. A subsequent award ceremony and an entertainment line-up featuring the work of designers: Malan Breton (New York), Amparo and Bisila Couture by Amaparo Chorda (Spain), David Tlale (South Africa), Loin Cloth & Ashes by Anisa Mpungwe (Tanzania), Catou by Berny Martin (Haiti), and Agatha Ruiz de la Prada (Spain). The designers have been hand selected by United Colors Of Fashion and serve as role models for the students. The annual gala brings NY/NJ elites, celebrities, Wall Street bankers, and fashion and lifestyle media from different parts of the world.
Celebrities and VIP guests in attendance will include Miss Jay Alexander of America’s Next Top Model, Geri Benoit (Former First Lady of Haiti) and Supermodel Oluchi to name but a few.
The lights will be shining brightly on hosts for the evening, Janice Huff and Mike Ruiz who will preside over matters to keep proceedings moving smoothly and timeously.
With all that will be said during the night, “donate” remains the most important word. This Gala aims to raise $500,000 with live and silent auctions, which will fund the education of the students for 2015. The 100% model ensures that every cent raised is used to impact the lives of the students.
The UCOF fourth annual Gala dedicates itself to the dreams of not only the students of UCOF, but those of the nameless, faceless hopefuls who can not yet see beyond their circumstances to find a future all within their control.
A future that says: “I’ve been expecting you.”
The incredible team working tirelessly to put this world-class event together include partners and sponsors American Endowment Foundation, Christo Fifth Avenue, LDJ Productions, Jan Malan Umzingeli Productions, Sandi Bass International, Malas Meninas, The Accessory Expert, Sterling Design, and model agencies IMG, Elite, Major, Muse, Red, Wilhelmina, Boss, Trump, Q, New York, Colby, Soul, Kaback, One and DNA Model Management.
For more information on United Colors Of Fashion and “Paper Dreams: Writing New Runways,” please contact:
Jamil Khan
[email protected]
(646) 641-9732 / (917) 266-4171
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