More than 200 women came together on September 27, 2015 at the Hylton Performing Art Center in Manassas, VA to show their support for the victims and survivors of domestic violence. The Foundation for Appropriate and Immediate Temporary Help, (FAITH) hosted the annual Fashion with Compassion for the second time.
According to the Fashion with Compassion Fashion Show coordinator, Somayyah Ghariani, the event is a platform for women to come together to showcase their talents, businesses and passions all while giving back to domestic abuse victims and survivors.
“This event is so much more than a fashion show and a pop-up boutique – this event represents what we can accomplish when we work together for a cause,” said Ghariani. She added that the community really came together and the in-kind donations for Fashion with Compassion were over three thousand dollars.
Ambreen Ahmed, executive director of FAITH, said that the fashion show provided a happy, comforting and nurturing environment to bring awareness about a serious issue that is often not discussed enough in our community.
“It was amazing to see women come and interact with the various domestic violence related displays set-up around the event. One activity for the guests was to tie ribbons around a rope to symbolize their solidarity with the causes of standing up against domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse,” Ahmed said. She added, “ Fashion with Compassion was able to provide a safe place for some women to talk about their pain, others wanted to learn more about domestic violence and also wanted to be trained in the field.”
Among the guests was Jennifer Boysko who was representing Kathleen Murphy from the Virginia House of Delegates. Boysko, took the opportunity and shared her personal story of being a child survivor of domestic violence and commended the work of FAITH in the field of domestic violence.
The evening consisted of a spoken word performance by Sadiyah Bashir, a runway show featuring national and international designers; Roddiva Couture, Gulshaan, Zeena, Madeena by Mizz Nina and B.Zarina as well as the blogger stylist Dana Ramey. A live performance by Abir Harooni was also part of the program.
For one domestic violence survivor FWC was more than just a fundraising fashion show, she said it felt like a homecoming.
“ Fashion with Compassion 2015 represents my transitioning from a victim of domestic violence to a survivor. It represents hope, and most importantly it represents women coming together to help people like me,” she said.
Ammara Chaudhry a guest from Sterling, VA said that she can’t wait to attend FWC next year.
“I love how this amazing night was able to blend fashion with charity to help raise money to empower victims of domestic violence,” said Chaudhry she added, “this cause is close to my heart personally knowing friends who have been victims of domestic violence – the night was filled with talent; an entertaining MC, strong poetry, the powerful voice of a young female performer and models representing diverse beauty had me mesmerized,” said Chaudhry.
After the show guests shopped at the pop-up boutique which featured looks from the runway, accessories, and other beauty vendors. All guests left with a swag bag valued at over $20.
“[The event] showed that strength is contagious, every attendee who came to Fashion with Compassion shared their support to those who need it the most and that is what this made this event so special,” said Fashion with Compassion Pop Up Boutique Coordinator, Iman Khatib.
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