Annual Fashion Show for Muslim Women Returns to DC

The International Sisters Network (ISN) will present their 15th Annual Sisters Only Luncheon and Fashion Show on Sunday, March 13, 2011 starting at 1:00 pm. The program will return to their most frequented location, the Washington Navy Yard Catering and Conference Center , 1454 Parsons Avenue, SE , Washington , DC 20874 .

ISN was founded in 1996 with the first intention of helping Muslim women improve their relationship with Allah and with Islam.  The second intention was to assist various charities which are pillars of Islam in the community. Throughout the past fourteen years the recipient charitable organization has been Clara Muhammad School of Washington, DC.  This year ISN aims to assist Muslimat An-Nisaa  Muslim Women’s Shelter in Baltimore , Maryland and An-Nur Academy in Lanham , Maryland . ISN also intends to organize calls and visits to sick members of the local community.

This year’s theme is “Treasures of the East” which will feature designer’s creations with a Middle Eastern flair and East Coast representation, a play on the word East.  The genesis of the program  in 1996 was at Highland Park Elementary School in Landover , Maryland with very few designers.  The first designer who has remained committed over the past fifteen years is Joyce Rasool of Rasool’s Fashions.  Other designers involved in the show include Ruth Jackson of Desert Dreams, Lubna Muhammad of Lubna’s Closet, Sylvia Shabazz of Sylvia’s Designs, Vernell Omar and Anju of Sanriq Styles.  Younger and promising designers include Myisha Kashif who started with the show at 10 years old and Jamila Madyun joined as a 16-year old. Having attended fashion school, Madyun rejoins the annual show.

As the audience of the Sisters Only Luncheon and Fashion Show grew from 50-75 attendees to now over 350 devoted followers, some of the designers/seamstresses have come and gone, however, there has been a commitment of many designers over the years with an increase each year in clothing stylists and accessory artists.   Also, some of the models have grown up with the show while other adult models return just for the camaraderie.

Over the years from beginning to end this event has been supported by Aisha Abdul Mateen as coordinator, and the other committee organizers:  Joyce Rasool, Nia Shabazz, Sylvia Shabazz and Devonne Bilal.  Former ISN members are Ruth Jackson and Endesha Rahim-Hasan.  Cristal Young-Hassan is the Mistress of Ceremony. Ruth Bilal is the photographer. Additionally, the enormous crew and contributing volunteers include The Islamic base, Gamma Gamma Chi Sorority Inc.,  designers/seamstresses, models, brochure and flyer designer, financial advisors, ticket and sales coordinators, security, caterers, performers, and commentators.

ISN says the females only show is not to be missed. The doors open at 1 PM for shopping. Vendors will be selling clothing, aromatherapy items, soaps, jewelry, home accessories, books and much more. Lunch provided by the Navy Yard will start at 2 PM. Finally the event of the day is the fashion show itself starting at 2:30 pm with an array of modest, Islamic clothing for younger sister models, the professional and business woman, full figure adults to a wedding segment.  An item offered this year will be Islamic- swimwear .   All the clothing modeled will be available for sale at the end of the show.

Tickets are $50.00 for women and $25.00 for children and can be purchased online at www.internationalsisters.synthasite.com.   For more information call 240-606-6122 or 202-271-7473.