Last night I attended the GWFCC's Project Fundway Scholarship Fashion Show. The Greater Washington Fashion Chamber of Commerce [GWFCC] is a trade association that serves the DC metropolitan area. Its purpose is to promote the business interests of those in the Fashion/Style Industry in addition to promoting Washington as a Global Fashion Capital. I wholehearted believe in the mission of the GWFCC. Their mission is my mission too. To ensure that the whole world knows that DC has a viable fashion industry, as well as, a city full of very stylish and fashionable people. We are no longer the gray suit crowd.

First and foremost, it was so surreal to be back in the halls of McKinley Tech. McKinley Tech is my Alma Mater. I graduated from there some moons ago and I got very misty walking through the doors. There were so many great memories of Tech that rushed back to me. Good times. Good times.

{McKinley Technical High School}


{The Women Behind The Mission: GWFCC's Maggy Francois and Christine Brooks-Cropper}


{The Host for the Evening: Miss DC USA 2009, Nicole Annabelle White and
Kwab Asamoah of Kustom Looks Clothier}


{The Fab Judges (not in order): Linda Lee, VCU; Angie Goff, WUSA TV; Maurisa Potts, GWFCC; Jennifer Barger, Fashion Washington; Makeda Saggau-Sackey, The Glamazon Diaries; Kwab Amasoah, Kustom Looks; Jewelry Designer Evelyn Brooks; Fashion Designer Tashia Senn; and Beverly Johnson, Duke Ellington School of the Arts.}



I was so inspired by the three finalists. Michael Edwards, Adegbemisola "Ade" Ademisoye, and Samuel Mintah are three very talented young designers. I loved how each had their very distinct personality and style. Not to mention that the three of them exuded an amazing level of confidence. That really moved me because you have to believe in yourself in the fashion industry. Even when no one else thinks that you are talented, you ABSOLUTELY have to always believe that you will succeed. As a special treat, Designers Evelyn Brooks, Tashia Senn, and Kwab Amasoah gave us a sneak peek at their wonderful designs.

The first finalist was Michael Edwards. Edwards wants to be the next Marc Jacobs. I loved his bold personal style. I was even more pleased to see him translate his own boldness into a fab line of lovely cocktail dresses. My favorite outfit by Michael was the first one below with this fab gold skirt with a balloon hem that he paired (with great success) with a black military style jacket. So on trend! Loved it.









The next finalist to show a collection was Adegbemisola "Ade" Ademisoye. She definitely knew the exact message that she was trying to convey with her collection. She scoured the aisles of the hardware store for the special touches that she added to her line. She loves mixing something hard and edgy with the softness and femininity of a woman. My favorite outfit was the faux leather dress with the ivory ruffles. It was the perfect mix of hard and soft. Beyond fab!









The last finalist of the night was Samuel Mintah. Mintah had a wonderful story about how he was called ugly in school {i can so relate to the ugly duckling syndrome}. But instead of letting that pull him down, he turned the tables on those who tried to kill his spirit - he named his clothing line, "Ugly." That is turning lemons into lemonade. My favorite outfit was the one with the black skirt. I wasn't close enough to see what it was made of but from my seat it was adorable and had a great texture to it.









And the winner was.....



After deliberation from the fab judges, Adegbemisola "Ade" Ademisoye won the $5000 scholarship. Ade will be able to put the award towards fashion school. You go girl. The Capitol Fashionista congratulates you and am looking forward to covering your fashion lines in the near future!