By Khalida Sarwari
For one night, bright lights and fashion will infuse Silicon Valley’s high-tech culture as local designers and models come together for a runway show in San Jose to raise money for charities.
Roughly 25 models and 20 designers — most of them local — will be featured in tonight’s first-ever “Bay Area Fashion Week” at the Barrett Ballroom at San Jose State University.
Among the featured designers whose clothes the models will showcase are LHC Couture, ahr.es.ihm, Pyrce, and Emily Rubin, who at 16 years old is one of the youngest designers. They are expected to make appearances, event coordinator Theresa Rose said.
The purpose of the event is to raise money for agencies that are working to serve those in poverty. The organizations are Second Harvest Food Bank, a source of donated food for nonprofits in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties, and Mainitnons sa Amerika, an international relief organization that aims to help the underprivileged citizens of Mainit, Philippines.
Roger Francisco, who is producing the fashion show, also serves as chairman of Mainitnons sa Amerika. Rose said organizers hope to make the fashion show an annual event.
Raphy Mahpour, a 26-year-old model, said the show would give people an opportunity to see Bay Area and California-inspired fashions up close.
“This is a new type of performance that you don’t normally see in the South Bay,” Mahpour said. “It has the capability to bring a lot of larger retailers to the San Jose area.”
The event will begin at 6 p.m. with a reception and meet-and-greet, followed by a runway show at 8 p.m.
The show is open to the public. Tickets range from $45 to $65 and can be purchased online at http://www.bayareafashionweek.com/.
