Last Wednesday, DC Style Factory partnered with PopNod and hosted a fall fashion event to benefit DC’s Urban Alliance. The stylish soiree took place on the rooftop of Embassy Row Hotel DC - with a breathtaking view and sunset over Dupont Circle. The evening’s good vibes centered around the mission of the Urban Alliance — to mentor and provide opportunity to under-resourced highschool seniors in DC, Baltimore and Chicago. More than 100 revelers joined us to support the organization and usher in the fall fashion season.
DC Style Factory styled and produced the highlight of the evening’s festivities — a fashion showcase of the season’s best trends to wear work and after work. Women’s looks were from Betsy Fisher on Connecticut Avenue, NW. Hair and makeup by Sunny Oh of D Sharpe Style in Bethesda.
Men’s looks were Ted Baker, Hugo Boss and AG denim. For guys, style topics and trends included monochromatic grey, mixing of pattern and texture, the Chelsea Boot, and how to wear denim on Casual Fridays at the office. For ladies, I talked about updates to the classic trench, the power of the pencil skirt, mixing patterns and menswear-inspired looks that are still going strong this season.
Models were in on the Urban Alliance mission: each of the six looks was worn by Urban Alliance program graduates, mentors, and staff that keep the mission wheels moving. Each model strutted — some eating up the spotlight and photography flashes like seasoned catwalk professionals — around the glowing, lit pool. The guests greeted each model and look with collective “oooohs” and “aaaaahs.”
The event was just the start of a bigger campaign on PopNod.com to benefit Urban Alliance interns: Fashion with an Impact. Visit this Style Story page on PopNod and learn how you can shop with meaning. We all know the power of that first impression when it comes to landing a job. You can now be a part of helping a young person make that great first impression. PopNod shoppers can purchase clothing that will be shipped directly to the Urban Alliance and gifted to intern graduates embarking on their professional journey.
The evening was best summed up by one of our models, Johnnie Wallace (he’s the dapper fellow in monochromatic grey) who works at Alexandria Renew Enterprises. Alexandria Renew sponsors two Urban Alliance interns annually, and Wallace mentors these interns:
“I grew up in an ‘underserved’ home and community. I didn’t have the support or my birth mother to pursue anything past the government assistance or “street” life that surrounded me as a child. I found mentors in people outside of my home and community that guided me through tough times as a homeless teenager. This ultimately led to my happiness and success today. I want to have an impact on youth who may not have the guidance and assistance within their home to soar past their perceived limitations and into higher education, successful careers, and positions as community and family leaders. I strive everyday with my interns to ensure they are proud of their differences and that taking the road less desired makes them stronger than those who have inherited support. Imagine if every capable adult served as Urban Alliance like mentor to just one youth within our country. We would have less teenage parents. We would significantly decrease the high school dropout rate and increase the higher education acceptance rate. We would have less crime and more youth contributing to society and not behind bars. I am living proof that positive mentorship at an impressionable age can change the course of someone’s life.”
Enjoy some of the gorgeous snaps by E. Brady Robinson of our fabulous evening. Our team was honored to be a part of this event, and I know I will remember it for a long, long time.