May as well start calling us New-yack City because last week’s third annual Rockland Fashion Week demonstrated that our fair village and its surrounding environs are busting at the seams (pun intended) with some amazing designer talent.
The event, a runway show and gala hosted on November 5th at the Palisades Center Mall, was produced by Hope Wade Designs of Nyack and showcased the work of over a dozen local designers, including Wade’s own collection. Entertainment was provided by saxophonist Herve Alexandre and MC Qui Talks to a capacity crowd of friends, families and fashion enthusiasts.
“We’re deeply grateful for the generous support we’ve received from our sponsors and the Rockland community,” said Wade. “Our community made this great event possible.”
Event sponsors include:
Montefiore Nyack Hospital- Breast Center
Picanha Brazilian Steakhouse Restaurant
The week leading up to the runway show was a busy one that merged clothing with community – something Rockland Fashion Week has been known for since its inception in 2019. Wade organized presentations about fashion design at local schools and pop-up shops in stores around the county.
“We’ve been in the schools engaging students in the ‘business of fashion,’ as well as supporting our retail colleagues around the county,” said Wade.
This year, the program collaborated with The Breast Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital which brought five cancer survivors to the runway as models, Khloe Berry, a 10-year-old with Dravet Syndrome, also strutted her stuff with the support of Rockland-based real estate brokerage, R2M Realty who gives 3% of its commission to its residential buyers’ and sellers’ local charity of choice.
Proceeds from the event also included a special donation to the Center for Safety and Change, the only victim-centered non-profit organization in
Pictured From Left to Right: Ingrid Blake of Rand Realty, Millie Garcia of Rand Realty, Joanne Lent of Rand Realty, Hope Wade of Hope Wade Designs, and Rosemarie Francese of Rand Realty
Rockland, offering life-changing programs and services to victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and other crimes.
“Fashion Week is about beautiful clothes, but also about the beauty and strength we bring to the challenges we face in our everyday lives,” said Wade.
