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BY: Jamil Khan

JOHANNESBURG – Much has been written of the health related mission of United Colors Of Fashion (UCOF) in recent weeks, which will culminate into our sojourn in South Africa in March 2013. Although it comprises a very important part of our work at UCOF, it is not the only part of that work. The UCOF Student Training Arts & Design (STAND) program promotes our aim to expose under resourced, creative fashion and design students to the many exciting opportunities in the fashion industry. Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, board of directors and donors STAND is the first and only program of its kind that is offered to students, in the United States, at no cost. This program gives them a chance to start making their mark on the fashion industry and helps them to carve out their own career path in fashion. The program was conceptualized as a stepping-stone for students who are talented, but uninformed and unaware of the many opportunities that exist within the fashion industry.

The STAND program allows interns to learn in the areas of: Management, Media & Communications, Marketing, Design, Textiles, Accessories and Event Production. These fields of work are opened to our interns in the form of workshops, hands-on participation in fashion show production and internships with leading designers. We also assist interns to get scholarships to leading fashion schools and arrange presentations for newly graduated designers. All these opportunities give talented, aspiring fashion professionals a platform to be recognized and integrated into the industry.

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JOHANNESBURG – If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, then the United Colors Of Fashion (UCOF) 2012 Annual Gala and International Fashion Benefit would have opened even the most reluctant eyes to see. The UCOF benefit was held on October the 17th, at the Museum of the City of New York and themed as: “Be Glamorous, Glamor Gives”. When the call for giving went out, there was no lack of glamorous responses from industry legends such as Pat Cleveland and current runway divas such as Ajak Deng and Sessilee Lopez. Currently the hottest accessories to the runway, Deng and Lopez opened their hearts with thrilling enthusiasm to help the cause of UCOF by walking in our fashion show on the night.

The Gala was held in aid of our mission to raise funds for people with HIV at Soweto Hospice in Johannesburg, South Africa. UCOF also raises funds and awareness for sickle cell anemia and paralysis. We will visit South Africa in March, 2013 to spend time delivering gifts, handing over donations and engaging with patients at Soweto Hospice and the children at the associated Mapetla Day Care Center.

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BY: Jamil Khan

JOHANNESBURG – Getting to zero might not always be perceived as a good thing, but it is an imperative goal to which all of us must strive. The world has 34 million people living with HIV and more than two thirds of them live in developing countries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A further three quarters of the 2.5 million new infections that occurred in 2011, were born in these developing countries. This is why “Getting to Zero” is the mission and slogan of the World AIDS day campaign for 2011 – 2015. World AIDS Day marks 2012 as its 24th year in solidarity against the scourge of HIV and the 31st year since AIDS was first reported.

The World AIDS Day campaign aims to spread the message that the world wants “Zero new HIV infections”, “Zero discrimination” and “Zero AIDS related deaths” which echoes the UNAIDS vision. The World AIDS Campaign Director Africa, Linda Wafu, encourages nations to create their own goals of “Zero” as their specific societal needs dictate. Choosing a different zero or all three is an important step in turning the epidemic around and directing it to eradication.

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BY: Jamil Khan
JOHANNESBURG – How many times have the words “I don’t feel like eating that again” or “I don’t eat that” crossed your lips? An alarming reality strikes me when I hear those words – somewhere very close to me and you someone is saying: “I’m so hungry, I cannot bear to face this day!”
Those words are often drenched in tired tears falling from vacant eyes. Those tears roll over a face that has become the epidemic of our time; it is the face of POVERTY. Add to that the faces of disease, famine, and warfare and you’ll start hearing their voices too. A pretty gloomy outlook some would say, but it is an outlook that can be changed by making a change in your world.

At the United Colors Of Fashion (UCOF) 2012 Annual Gala and International Fashion Benefit held on October 17th at the Museum of the City of New York, one of UCOF’s Honorary Chairs, Nigel Barker delivered a thought provoking speech on the power to make a difference.

“We can all do a lot more, in fact we can all do something. We all too often do very little. We take the easy road, we decide to actually cross the road when we see an issue and say somebody else can do something about that problem.” said Nigel Barker.

As a passionate protagonist for the fight against poverty and social injustice, Barker has used his talents as a storyteller, filmmaker and photographer to bring light to the suffering around the world. His passion has mobilized many of his friends and colleagues to join the fight. This is how he has “made a difference in his world”, as he put it.

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NEW YORK, NY (October 17, 2012) – The Museum of the City of New York burned a bright golden orange tonight, that of United Colors Of Fashion’s logo, a Fashion Philanthropy organization, which aids charities for children living with HIV and AIDS and supports the arts and fashion education in New York, as celebrities, fashion icons, and philanthropist engaged in their annual themed Benefit Gala: “Be Glamorous: Glamour Gives.”

The Benefit Gala commenced with an awards ceremony honoring celebrities and philanthropist such as Grammy award winner Dionne Warwick, and Phillip Bloch, Hollywood’s celebrity stylist, for their humanitarian efforts. Amongst other honorees were former model and muse to Givenchy, Sandi Bass, who was honored as UCOF’s “Casting Director of The Year,” by iconic supermodel, Pat Cleveland, and former America’s Next Top Model judge, Miss Jay Alexander. “It was a delight to have had legendary Pat Cleveland walk in our show. It was a fascinating night to remember. What we do at UCOF is investing in the lives of those who lack resources. When you invest in the empowerment of young adults, you offer guidance for our future leaders, designers and entrepreneur,” said Ciano Clerjuste, President of United Colors of Fashion and founding partner.

The awards ceremony commenced with fashion photographer, filmmaker and former judge of America’s Next Top Model, Nigel Barker, who delivered a speech commissioning the mission of UCOF and urging for advocacy to make differences. “We can all do a lot more, in fact we can all do something, in fact we all too very often do very little.” Mr. Barker praised UCOF for “bringing the issues of the world together and the fashion industry together.” Bukiwe Sangqu, the spouse to the UN Ambassador to South Africa was also honored.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW YORK, NY (September 17, 2012) – United Color of Fashion (UCOF), a New York City based Fashion Philanthropic organization, welcomes fashion industry professionals and philanthropists to partake in their Gala benefit on October 17, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. at the Museum of the City of New York. This event is as an encore ovation presented post Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week.

United Colors of Fashion has selected Nigel Barker, world renowned fashion photographer and former judge of America’s Next Top Model and Philip Bloch, widely considered to be Hollywood’s premier fashion stylist, as Honorary Chairs. Dionne Warwick, international musical legend and Grammy award winner has been selected as honorary co-chair of the event. These three honorees have been philanthropically inclined and reputable for their diplomatic relationships.

UCOF harnesses the creativity and giftedness of New York’s underprivileged, aspiring artists to help them become successful professionals in the Fashion and Arts industry. With funds generated from this artistic collaboration, UCOF partners with South African aid organizations to provide relief to children with HIV/AIDS, sickle cell anemia and paralysis, who are unable to obtain proper care through normal channels.

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BY Lovely Atis, Creative Director for UCOF

After careful research and a long selection process, United Colors of Fashion, Inc. (UCOF) is proud to present the designers to be featured at the Annual Gala and International Fashion Spectacle, taking place on October 17, 2012 at the Museum of the City of New York. These designers share and support many of the values that UCOF stands for: Passion, Pride, Quality, and let’s not forget Glamour for Charity. These outstanding and talented designers speak volumes with their dedication, time and support for UCOF’s humanitarian efforts; which is to reach out to the needs of those who are less fortunate and hold the hands of those who need guidance navigating through the world of fashion. UCOF is honored and excited to present the fashion icons for this year, as we are fully confident that THEY WILL DELIVER.

It’s going to be a great show!

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When the word “Fashion,” is mentioned one cannot resist but only think of the glam’ and glitz, bright lights, celebs, camera flashes and renowned international cities such as Paris, London, and Milan. It was not until 2011 where Fashion Designer Anya Ayoung-Chee, a former Ms. Universe Contestant, brought the heritage of the turquoise ocean, laced with the pattern of rhythmic Soca percussions, to what will be recognized as a bench mark in main stream fashion media for her country.

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