Christian Fashion Week Blog

"Last year, we had no way of knowing what type of support Christian Fashion Week would receive," commented Executive Director, Jose Gomez. "Because of the overwhelming support of an international community of men and women who are fans of modest fashion, we chose to take the risk on a week-long event. The results has been an electric, exciting feeling of anticipation, knowing that the stakes are high because we're holding the largest planned fashion show of the year in the Tampa Bay area. We believe it's worth it."

What is surprising is that the production will be held with only 55 volunteers, a staff of 6, and the four founders of Christian Fashion Week - Jose Gomez, Mayra Gomez, Tamy Lugo, and Wil Lugo. Last week, Gomez's blog article, titled "Bringing Sexy Back: The Place of Sex Appeal and Physical Attraction in the Christian Life", brought attention to the event, demonstrating that attendees should not expect a dull religious show.

Co-founder, Tamy Lugo added, "Christian Fashion Week is a not a 'church fashion show'. It's about high fashion from a perspective of creativity and modesty, exemplified by Christian values. Expect secular and Christian media, fashion industry professionals, and fans of fashion at our show. It's everything you will enjoy about New York Fashion Week - with an extra button and inch of extra fabric."

Last February, Christian Fashion Week made history by showcasing eight designer lines centered around the theme of modesty. What many expected to be a "church show" turned out to be a New York style fashion show that sent ripples through the Christian and Fashion communities.  The group is now preparing for an entire week of fashion in February of 2014, aiming for 16 designers who will rise up to the challenge of pushing their creative talent within the construct of modesty from a Christian perspective.

"We are looking for designers who want to challenge themselves to create art without the crutch of sexuality," commented Jose Gomez, Executive Director of Christian Fashion Week. "We fully understand that sex sells. But, for the everyday woman, sexuality is not the dominant quality she wants to exhibit. She is a force to be reckoned with beyond the visuals of her anatomy. She is fierce and demands attention with her strength, intelligence, and grace. Now, THAT is sexy."

Christian Fashion Week has also announced that all 16 designer spots have been sponsored by the four companies of its founders - NetMinistry, TruModel, VStylist, and Tampa Headshots. Each company will sponsor the entrance fee for four designers, removing the normal budgetary constraint for designers to participate in fashion shows.

"We felt that talented designers should know how much we believe in them," said Tamy Lugo, co-founder of Christian Fashion Week and president of VStylist. "The designers ARE the show."

Christian Fashion Week is now accepting designer applications for its 2014 showcase. Fashion designers interested in participating should visit http://www.christianfashionweek.com/For-Fashion-Designers and apply online. The organization will be choosing its designers from among the applicants and announcing them on the website by October 1. Designers will be chosen based on the quality of their designs, references, and overall professionalism.

Over two years ago, we envisioned a fashion week that would feature modest yet fashionable garments specifically designed with the Christian community in mind. Last Saturday, February 9, we made history as we put on the show of our lives. Nine designers from all walks of life and career showcased their collections for an audience of over 300 attendees and over 2,000 online viewers.

Event Schedule

About Christian Fashion Week

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Dec. 20, 2012 - The first-ever Christian Fashion Week (CFW), a two-day event showcasing the latest fashion trends from both domestic and international Christian designers, is being held in Tampa, FL, February 8-9, 2013, and Christian Publisher Zondervan is helping one lucky pair get there in style.

Now through January 4, 2013, contestants can enter to win a CFW prize pack including two VIP tickets to the event, tickets to the VIP Model4Jesus reception, a swag bag filled with door prizes and gifts, general admission benefits, roundtrip airfare to Tampa, a two-night hotel stay and a personal style consultation and a $500 shopping spree with Christian speaker, author, fashionista and image consultant Shari Braendel.

"We're thrilled to be able to provide the opportunity for two individuals to attend the first-ever Christian Fashion Week event," said Amanda Costanzi, Vice President of Marketing, Harper Collins Christian Publishing Bible Group. "This event encourages women to let their inner light shine. For two days, stunning clothes and accessories, including the Style Line Bibles, will be featured on the runway. We stand behind the belief that Christians don't have to sacrifice their style or personality while representing their values in their dress and we're honored to be part of this unique event."

To enter to win the CFW prize pack, visit Zondervan's Style Line Bibles website: http://www.stylelinebibles.com/contest.html. There, entrants can also explore Zondervan's recently released fashionable Style Line Bibles - God's Word designed to reflect a woman's individual personality and style. Style Line Bibles add flair to any outfit and travel well, easily fitting into a purse or bag. The nine unique Style Line collections offer a wide variety of designs, colors, patterns and accents that match beautifully with each woman's unique style.

During the fashion show, models will be carrying Style Line Bibles down the runway as an accessory to their outfits. In addition, each attendee will receive a Zondervan Style Line Bible in their swag bag.

About Christian Fashion

Christian Fashion Week 2013 is the first fashion week ever created to showcase fashion focused on the Christian market. Designers, regardless of worldview or religious affiliation, have been issued a challenge to create a clothing line for the modest woman without sacrificing style. The organization is now in discussion with over 160 designers from all over the world, working to narrow the selection down to just seven designers. There will also be a special woman-only swimwear show prior to the main event as well as a boutique segment, showcasing ready to wear fashions already in stores and boutiques.

About Zondervan

Zondervan, part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, is a world leading Bible publisher and provider of Christian communications. For more than 80 years, Zondervan has delivered transformational Christian experiences through its bestselling Bibles, books, curriculum, academic resources and digital products. The company's products are sold in multiple formats, worldwide in more than 60 countries, translated into nearly 200 languages. Zondervan offices are located in Grand Rapids, MI. For additional information, please visit www.zondervan.com.

Tampa, FL - The first ever Christian Fashion Week in history will showcase fashions from Venezuelan-born designer Franco Montoro. His collections will be part of a Fashion Week targeting consumers and buyers seeking to find fashions that promote stylish modesty and conservative values. In addition, several Tampa Bay boutiques will showcase their ready-to-wear fashions in a special prêt-à-porter segment.

"When we heard that there would be a Christian Fashion Week happening in the state of Florida we were instantly convinced that we had to be part of the showcase," commented Montoro. "The cause and the purpose of this event could not be overlooked. As a fashion designer, I love the idea of giving a new purpose to fashion and beauty. "

The premise behind Christian Fashion Week 2013 is a challenge to fashion designers worldwide to create garments that can be worn by today's modest woman, but that are still stylish and current.

Designer coordinator and stylist, Tamy Lugo, is excited to see this vision becoming a reality. "We are so excited to have the participation of designers of Franco Montoro's caliber in our show. We want to create an event that is truly of Fashion Week caliber. Yes - it's a Christian Fashion Week. But, the focus is to showcase fashion from a perspective of modesty, not to host a churchy event that is a bad copy of the fashion scene."

Lugo, along with the three other founders of Christian Fashion Week, is no strangers to the fashion scene. They include the President of the Fashion Industry Association, Jose Gomez; the founder of the TruModel mentoring program, Mayra Gomez; and fashion and runway photographer, Wil Lugo.

Tampa, FL - On February 8-9, 2013, in the second floor of LSA Hall, four Tampa Bay entrepreneurs will see their vision fulfilled - the very first Christian Fashion Week in history. The two-day event will feature local and international designers presented with a challenge to design fashion lines that promote and respect stylish moderation instead of sexuality and excess. In spite of the values represented by the event, don't expect a "religious" atmosphere. The Christian Fashion Week team encourages attendees to expect high fashion and an electric night of music, style, and plenty of swag.

"We are so excited to be hosting an event that promotes stylish moderation in the form of a Fashion Week and encourages the Christian community to come out and show the world that wearen't afraid to be human beings who love to look great while appreciating inner and outer beauty," said Jose Gomez, partner in Christian Fashion Week, LLC and president of the Tampa-based Fashion Industry Association.

An exclusive women-only segment of the show will feature swimwear by some of today's hottest designers. "Yes - Christian women go to the beach and wear bathing suits, "commented Mayra Gomez, partner and principle of TruModel, a character development and training program for girls. "Let's not be too religious about it. We want to look great while still finding swimwear that will keep us modest. That's the message we are promoting"

Tamy Lugo, stylist and one of the top fashion bloggers in TampaBay, works with designers to prepare for the show. "It's so much fun to hear the reactions from the designers we've been speaking to when they are presented with this challenge. It's inspiring to them and they are looking forward to showcasing their creations," said Tamy. Her husband Wil Lugo, a local photographer and graphic designer, will be producing the show with a vision to fuse New York and Miami to create a new experience. "We're working hard to ensure that everyone has a great time in an environment that feels like fashion, not a church event."

Christian Fashion Week is currently recruiting designers, models, sponsors, and vendors for their2013 show. The show will be held at LSA Hall, in Tampa, Florida. Advancedtickets are currently available through the event's website located at http://www.christianfashionweek.com.Vendor and sponsorship space is limited and only 300 seats will be availablefor this first event. However, the entire show will be streamed online in order for a worldwide audience to witness this historic event.

For more information about Christian Fashion Week, contact Jose Gomez at (813) 300-0106, or send us an e-mail. Designers, models, sponsors, and vendors can download applications by going to http://www.christianfashionweek.com.

Christian Fashion Week, LLC
18948 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Suite 102
Tampa, FL 33548
(8130-300-0106)
http://www.christianfashionweek.com