Christian Fashion Week Blog

After receiving international attention for their first annual event in 2013, Christian Fashion Week returns with a full week of festivities and fashion shows, starting today with the International Day of Prayer for Art and Fashion. Over 8,000 supporters from all around the world are encouraged to pray for the fashion and art communities as a whole -that inspiration and success would follow them into a new year. The day is also a day of prayer for the continued success of the world's fashion weeks, starting with New York Fashion Week, starting next week.

"We felt compelled to set a day aside to bless the people from all over the world who are involved in creating the beautiful, creative things we see all around us," said Christian Fashion Week's Executive Director, Jose Gomez. "The industry is not as dark and sinful as some people believe. There are people of faith in every aspect of it - from the designers to the retailers to the consumers. Why not pray for the inspiration and success of an industry that influences our everyday outward expression? What better what to kick off Christian Fashion Week?"

On the Christian Fashion Week website, some of the most recent prayers have been posted. Parallel to the prayers of the founders of Christian Fashion Week, supporter Kalisa Maxwell writes, "I am praying for reform in worldwide textile manufacturing practices that promote child and slave labor, success of talented up-and-coming fashion designers and industry professionals; Our local designers in Tampa Bay and in other major cities; For modest fashion consumers to become a recognized market segment for the fashion industry; For the success of the other fashion weeks of the world Continued innovation by the world's major fashion brands"

Christian Fashion Week will continue with the full schedule of events.

• February 3: The Launch of ChristianRunway.Com
• February 4: Righteous Fashionista Workshop
• February 5: Divine Shopping Date: An All-Day Shopping Spree
• February 6: Christian Fashion Week VIP Party
• February 7: Christian Fashion Week 2014 Day One: Designer Showcase
• February 8: Christian Fashion Week 2014 Night Two: Designer Showcase

"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."

"On the internet, it's hard to find anyone bigger than ChristianPost.Com," commented Executive Director, Jose Gomez. "From the very beginning, they have shown tremendous support for Christian Fashion Week. Their articles about our first event helped to bring awareness to our passionate mission and the excellence in production that our event would be known for."

ChristianPost.Com and Christian Fashion Week will be announcing the website address where live video from Christian Fashion Week 2014 will be available during the week of the event. Those wishing to attend the event are encouraged to visit http://www.christianfashionweek.com/. Advanced purchase discounts are available. Seating is limited.

About Christian Fashion Week

The mission of Christian Fashion Week is to create a series of fashion shows and events around the idea of fashion from a Christian worldview, reflecting common values such as modesty, boldness, and integrity. While the organization acknowledges that these values are not exclusively Christian, their faith is a unifying factor for these ideals, and a viable marketplace for fashion designers who believe in them, regardless of faith. It aims to create a forum for fashion designers and industry professionals to network and increase awareness of a values-based fashion industry that has always taken a back seat to the world's more risqué sense of style. Christian Fashion Week is a mission to stand for dignity on behalf of modest fashion consumers.

ChristianPost.Com is the nation's most comprehensive Christian news website and was launched in March 2004, incorporated with the vision of delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines. As the flagship website of The Christian Post, ChristianPost.com has quickly grown to become a leading online Christian news publication, with continuous updates throughout the day - seven days a week. Through the website, The Christian Post presents national and international coverage of current events affecting and involving Christian leaders, church bodies, ministries, mission agencies, schools, businesses, and the general Christian public. As a pan-denominational Christian media source, The Christian Post views all Christ-centered denominations as equal constituents of the body of Christ and does not promote or demote any Christ-centered denomination and/or congregation. The Christian Post is a member of the Evangelical Press Association, a member of the National Association of Evangelicals, and a global partner of the World Evangelical Alliance.

Past ChristianPost.Com Articles about Christian Fashion Week

Christian Fashion Week: 9 Designers to Keep Your Eyes On
http://www.christianpost.com/news/christian-fashion-week-9-designers-to-keep-your-eyes-on-89753/

Christian Fashion Week 2013: Where Modesty and Creativity Meet
http://global.christianpost.com/news/christian-fashion-week-2013-where-modesty-and-creativity-meet-photos-89722/

ChristianPost.Com
http://www.christianpost.com

Today, New Year's Eve, we are exactly 33 days from the beginning of Christian Fashion Week 2014. The year has flown by and it seems like only yesterday since our last show. But, this year is going to be so much bigger and better, with 17 designers showcasing on the last two days of a full week of modest fashion. The support and excitement we are experiencing is electric!

But, if there is one thing that I could change, it would be the expectation that guests for this year's show have that tickets will be available when they come to the door. In Tampa, we typically wait until the very last minute to purchase tickets, which makes running fashions such a risk for the producers of the event. So, in efforts to reward attendees for pre-purchasing their tickets early on, we've extended a 30% discount that ends TONIGHT. Although we have a fair of amount of seats have already been purchased at this amazing discount, I know many of you that are coming but have not yet purchased.

So, with just 12 hours left before our early bird discount goes away forever, I am encouraging you to consider reserving your seats today. A two-day pass to our Friday and Saturday show is only $75 today, but it will go up to $90 after midnight, and $110 at the door. For those who want preferred seating, distinguished treatment, and an extra Thursday night VIP party, VIP tickets are $105 until midnight, when they increase to $120 and then $150 at the door. Do you see why it's best to buy them today?

Also know that by pre-purchasing your ticket, you are helping to make our event significantly more successful. Advanced ticket purchases enable us as event organizers to focus on the things that truly matter - exposure for the fashion designers, a dazzling production, and an unforgettable experience for our guests. If you wait, not only do you run the risk that your seat will be taken, but our focus is split between creating a spectacular event and promoting the show to sell more tickets.

We've even gone the extra mile to negotiate with a local Marriot Counrtyard just a few miles down the road from the venue to provide you with a special $109 per night rate, complete with shuttle to and from the event! For those of you who will need this, please note that you must book your room no later than 1/17/14 to get this rate.

Thank you for your continued support throughout the year. This coming week, the models will be announced, the designers are booking their flights, and hotel rooms are being reserved. We're preparing for the largest showcase of modest fashions ever produced - and you have a front row seat to the party!

Buy your tickets today by going to:

http://www.christianfashionweek.com/Upcoming-Events?fldMonth=&fldEventID=264163&fldOccuranceDate=2/7/2014

Book your hotel today by going to:

http://www.marriott.com/meeting-event-hotels/group-corporate-travel/groupCorp.mi?resLinkData=Christian%20Fashion%20Week%202014%20%5eTPAOL%60CFWCFWA%7cCFWCFWB%6010900%60USD%60false%602/2/14%602/8/14%601/17/14&app=resvlink&stop_mobi=yes

As an added bonus, everyone who has purchases tickets before midnight tonight will receive a FREE professional photograph of you and your guests to commemorate your attendance at our 2014 showcase. This is a $99 value you get for FREE on top of the 30% discount just by purchasing your tickets today! Don't wait until the last minute. Can I save your seat?

Joy, love, and blessings in 2014 for you and your family,

Jose Gomez, Jr.
Executive Director, Christian Fashion Week
http://www.christianfashionweek.com

After months of searching the globe for talented fashion designers, Christian Fashion Week announced the full line up for Christian Fashion Week 2014. Over 60 applications were submitted through the organization's website but only 17 designers were chosen for the February 2014 showcase. The following is a list of the fashion designers chosen to participate:

• · Julia Chew / Xiaolin (Enchanting, alluring garments)
• · Sumita Bhojwani / KalaXpress (Indian fusion)
• · Dali Hernandez / House of Dali (for the working woman)
• · Rene Scarborough / 2 Coconuts (Swimwear)
• · Wildy Sanchez, Katie Martinez, Sarah McPhillips / Elegantees (Relaxed, edgy, modern femininity)
• · Bine & Bass (Menswear)
• · Vonique Mason / Mikra (Ebenezer Collection)
• · Elaine Grullon / EJ Fashion and Design
• · Ricc Rollins / Classic Gentlemen (Menswear)
• · Damaris Rubio (Styles from the Dominican Republic)
• · Roy Smoothe / Just Cool (Menswear from the UK)
• · Jonathan Allen / Narrowgate (UK)
• · Ronnisha Tolefree / Aura Boutique (Elegant fabrics, edgy looks)
• · Jessica Rios / All Brides 2 Be (Bridal)
• · Rachel Weathersby / Madame Weathersby (Couture with European flair)
• · Angel Myers / Angel Myers Designs (Plus Size)
• · Medinah Hagan-Morgan (Suits)

The designers' entrance fees will be sponsored by four faith-based companies - NetMinistry, TruModel, VStylist, and Tampa Headshots.

"It took longer than expected to carefully look through each designer's application and the design samples that were sent to us," commented Fashion Director, Mayra Gomez. "We want quality designers who were going to produce garments that were going to be unique, stylish, and representative of what our event is known for. We are confident that we have found that in our 17."

Christian Fashion Week originally announced that it would showcase 16 fashion designers for its 2014 showcase. However, plans changed after the fashion designers applications began flooding in and it became more and more difficult to narrow the participants down to a smaller group.

"We are honored to have several of last year's participants with us again," said Jose Gomez, Executive Director for Christian Fashion Week speaking of 2013 fashion designers Julia Chew, Sumita Bhojwani, and Rene Scarborough. "We could have put on a show for them alone. But, with the addition of the 14 other designers we have chosen, Christian Fashion Week 2014 is sure to be a thrilling experience."

Christian Fashion Week will be holding model auditions for its over 100 applications in November. Tickets for Christian Fashion Week 2014 will go on sale December 1.

Christian Fashion Week has set February 2nd - 8th, 2014 as the dates for Christian Fashion Week 2014. The event debuted earlier in the year, presenting a successful and internationally publicized inaugural event last February. It was held in Tampa, Florida in front an audience of over 300 attendees and over 2,000 online viewers from around the world. It received excellent reviews from local and national media, including the Associated Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, The Examiner, the Tampa Bay Times, and many others.

"We are tremendously excited about how well this event has been received," said Jose Gomez, executive director of Christian Fashion Week. "It feels like we've started a movement and we can see it growing every day. We knew that our message would resonate with fashion consumers and it's an honor to be a part of history."

Last year, the organization raised eyebrows with its decision to create separate backstage areas for males and females, and for showcasing a female-only swimsuit segment. The founders have confirmed that there will be a few more surprises this year. The week of fashion will kick off on February 2, 2014 with an International Day of Prayer for Art and Fashion, where churches, ministries, businesses, and individuals will offer prayers for "inspiration, creativity, and success" for the fashion industry as a whole as well as the other fashion weeks. The week will also include workshops, shopping days, VIP parties, and a two-day fashion showcase in Tampa, Florida.

This year, the group aims to showcase of 16 fashion lines from around the world, and is expected to fill the slots quickly. Christian Fashion Week has relationships with over 300 designers, but is still accepting applications.

About Christian Fashion Week

The mission of Christian Fashion Week is to create a series of fashion shows and events around the idea of fashion from a Christian worldview, reflecting common values such as modesty, boldness, and integrity. While the organization acknowledges that these values are not exclusively Christian, their faith is a unifying factor for these ideals, and a viable marketplace for fashion designers who believe in them, regardless of faith. It aims to create a forum for fashion designers and industry professionals to network and increase awareness of a values-based fashion industry that has always taken a back seat to the world's more risqué sense of style. Christian Fashion Week is a mission to stand for dignity on behalf of modest fashion consumers.

Official Christian Fashion Week Website
http://www.christianfashionweek.com

Media Information Registration
http://www.christianfashionweek.com/for-media

Sponsorship Information
http://www.christianfashionweek.com/for-sponsors

About Christian Fashion Week
http://www.christianfashionweek.com/About-Christian-Fashion-Week

About the International Day of Prayer for Art and Fashion
http://www.christianfashionweek.com/Prayer