Pink Rocks The Runway! Part 1

Exactly one week from today, Pink Rocks the Runway will showcase incredible collections featuring local designers, along with the one and only, Christian Siriano, who is bringing his entire Spring 2012 collection to DC! I absolutely obsessed over his collection, which was one of my favorites from fashion week. And if that wasn’t enough, the event will feature young breast cancer survivor models, live music, open bar, after-party at Hard Rock Cafe, AND it all benefits the Capital Breast Care Center and raises attention for early detection. This is such an important issue to me, as it is to so many of us. Tickets are still available, so be sure to snatch yours up!

In preparation for the event, I reached out to a few of the designers to see what we could expect to see from them on the runway and why they found it so important to be involved with the Pink Rocks project!

photograph not archived

Booshie Design

Booshie Design, a company founded by Ginger Carlin (who lost her grandmother to breast cancer), produces unique, vintage creations. With no background in design, Carlin started out redesigning clothing from the 1930′s, 40′s, 50′s 60′s, 70′s, and 80′s to go out at night. “I had spotted this gorgeous 1960′s lime green turtleneck poncho with women figures on it in the window of a little boutique in Adams Morgan (I had thought it was a dress),” Carlin told me. ” I fretted and was obsessed with making this shirt a dress. I taught myself to sew with a little help from a friend and before I knew it, I was making dresses nightly to go out to clubs and people were taking notice.” The designer stays inspired by vintage fabrics, and at the Pink Rocks event, she says you can expect to see “a very fun light pink taffeta with the top tank style,” with sides that lace up corset style and a bubble bottom skirt “that I have ruched and attached black tuxedo buttons scattered all the way around.”

photograph not archived

Estella Couture

Estella started designing, creating and sewing as early as 6 years old and today is running her own fashion business. “The journey has been challenging, but fun as well. There is so much to do, so much to achieve, so many lives to touch… and the thought of that makes every day fun in its own way,” she told me. “Today, I am more inspired by the appreciation of arts, crafts and creativity by so many people. It was not this way even five years ago. The little kid on the street now knows what a model is, what a catwalk  is. It is like the whole world notices fashion today.” And they are definitely noticing Estella Couture! The designer is an award-winning International fashion designer who uses her platform to keep giving back to the community. About being involved in Pink Rocks, she said, “I am particularly excited to be working with my model – a breast cancer survivor. She is barely 2 months older than me. The first time we met for lunch, when she was telling me her story of survival, one thought came to my mind: it could have been me! It could have been me or any other lady that is jogging on the street right now. And we owe it to all women, especially the ones that didn’t make it, to keep fighting and supporting causes like this that would make a difference in the lives of others.” So what can we expect to see her model wearing on the runway? “A long flowing pink dress… [but] how about we save the surprise for that day!”

More designer interviews to come! Be sure to buy tickets to the event!