For The Sake of Fashion

FOR THE SAKE OF FASHION, a runway show to benefit UNICEF, was held last night at DePaul's Cortelyou Commons. It was a joint effort by StreetStyleChi.com and Ford Models. The show's message was strong, the evening's fashion was bold and the overarching theme was dualistic. Beginning with the sponsoring partners, the patterns of dualism reverberated throughout the program.

From the very outset, as DePaul's UNICEF Chapter president, Khalil Pillai, placed in the foreground the stark statistical realities of lives lost around the world due simply to the lack clean drinking water, while rows and rows of free, clean, potable water created the venue's backdrop -- lining the walls in the lobby -- thus launching the theme of duality.

The duality continued with the show's program -- blending student designers with seasoned designers. This example, however, showed not contrast but consistency. Consistency in talent, skill and artistry. Among the student designers represented in the show's lineup was Columbia College junior, Ellis Peters. Peters proffered a pair of avant-garde tee shirts from his current collection -- a collection which focuses on dualism. According to Peters, his line, Defiant Order Clothing Company, is a streetwear line which "...focuses a little bit on high fashion but not too much. It is monochromatic, so all black and white. We focus on patterns -- placing them in unique and different spots on the piece".

The evening's lineup of fashion consisted of a healthy dose of streetwear juxtaposed against the elegance of evening. Among the more seasoned designers who helped to round out the evening's spectacular show were Rodnell Harris of Chicago Playground who presented his line of modern-day vintage varsity classics; Lagi Nadeau, a designer-in-residence for the 2014 Chicago Fashion Incubator program at Macy’s on State Street, who offered some pieces from her collection of elegant and urbane dresses; Christina Karin, a graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, offered up a few pieces from her line of cocktail separates; and Iridium, a Chicago-based lifestyle brand shared a few selections from their fashion-forward streetwear line.

According to the show's organizer, Alexandra Moresco "we are hoping to create a greater awareness of UNICEF and it’s mission - to advocate for the protection of children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential”.

There is no doubt that last night's event successfully and creatively made it's point while raising funds for UNICEF. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the evening were donated to the charity.

Let's hear it for this very successful charitable effort and For The Sake of Fashion.

Read More: cheap bridesmaid dresses

Photo gallery