Written on April 7, 2015 at 6:20 pm by Cori

Fashion Stars of the Lehigh Valley

Filed under Fashion, Fashion Show, Featured Article {no comments}

I am so excited to report for the second time an event that took place on March 22 in the great town of Allentown, PA, my hometown, the fourth annual “Flying Solo: Thinking Outside the Box” student designer fashion show. I was unable to attend the event this year but I wanted to share with you some photos and the formal press release from the event. Wow just wow! From what I understand there were 7 student designers and they all did a tremendous job and really held their own sharing the runway with professional designers. I’ve always had big hopes for the future of arts programs and charter schools and I’m just thrilled to see them succeed and proud to share their talent. Remember their names people, these kids have it. Take a bow kids you deserve it! Congrats to all the parents too! Parents, you are doing the right thing, just look at what your children have accomplished! Keep doing it. I applaud you!

And a special shout out to Justin Orlick who I’ve been following since last year and I am so proud to see your genius progress. ~Cori/LadyBowTie

Media Contact: Ann Gillette, 610-868-2971 ext. 184

High School fashion designers take to the runway alongside the pros!

BETHLEHEM, PA–(March 22, 2015)— The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts (Charter Arts) Parent Association will hold its fourth-annual fashion show benefit, “Flying Solo: Thinking Outside of the Box“ on Sunday, March 22, 2:00-5:30pm at the Palace Center, 623 Hanover Avenue, Allentown. Proceeds from the event will benefit the school.

Flying Solo has become a ‘must-see’ event, as it has developed a significant following in the Lehigh Valley. Last year’s show received rave reviews from over 350 guests and garnered significant media attention. This year’s audience is projected to reach 400 guests.

This year’s show will feature professional and emerging designers, local stores, and seven student designers from Charter Arts who have received mentoring from the professional designers. Designers include: Daniel Silverstein (Finalist-NBC’s Fashion Star) and Pamela Ptak (Bravo TV’s Project Runway Season 7). Several designs from Love, Carson, a fashion line by celebrity fashion expert and Lehigh Valley native, Carson Kressley, will also be featured in the show.

Other participating designers, include: Michelle Lewis of DesChelle LLC by Michelle Lewis, Lauren Midlam of LM StyleBar, Geovanny Colon of Vinn Alexander, Bianca de Pietro of Bianca-Rachelle, Christina O of Agashi, and Shannah Warwick of BlckBts. Fashions from area retailers include: Boscov’s, David’s Bridal, Chico’s, Pop Mart, Men’s Warehouse, BeBe,TOILE and Limited Editions Eccoci Collections.

In addition to watching an exciting fashion show, guests will enjoy light hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and can participate in various raffles and a silent auction, which will include items from a wide range of retailers and businesses, including: Philly Eyewear, Plain Elaine and Life of Tie.

The event is produced by Charter Arts parents. The co-chairs of the event are Heidi Orlick and Lisa Bolash. The role of emcee will be filled by local celebrity, renowned vocalist, and Charter Arts parent, Robbi Kumalo.

The show is a fun opportunity for Charter Arts students. In addition to twenty-five professional models, over one hundred students will participate in the show as models and seven students will showcase their original work. While fashion design is not part of the school’s curriculum, this event gives the students who will participate as designers the chance to expand their creativity, learn the ‘business’ side of this specific art form and experience the challenges and hard work that go into producing a fashion show.

The runway, lighting and sound will be provided by DJ Jimbo Entertainment with support from ESG Systems. Hair/make-up design will be provided by Bethlehem-based salons, Blink 27 and Couture Salon & Spa, as well as Metro Beauty Academy.

Tickets range from $25-$60. Tickets can be purchased online at www.CharterArts.org.

ABOUT THE LEHIGH VALLEY CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS (Charter Arts):

Charter Arts, located at 675 E. Broad Street in Bethlehem, is an audition-based, tuition-free, public charter school that provides a comprehensive curriculum for high school students, grades 9-12, who have a passion for the arts. Students major in one of six artistic areas: dance, theatre, vocal music, instrumental music, figure skating or visual art.

The Charter Arts regional model enables students from a wide geographic area to maximize their special talents in the arts, while building a strong, developmental foundation for post-secondary education and the work force.

The school offers a full complement of core courses at the College Preparatory (CP), Honors, and Advanced Placement (AP) levels. The course catalog consists of more than 150 courses ranging from traditional core courses to pre-professional courses in the arts.

Charter Arts’ rigorous curriculum fosters both academic and artistic excellence. The school’s impressive PA School Performance Profile (SPP) Academic Score of 88, AP and Keystone exam statistics, prestigious artistic accolades, and 99% graduation rate are a testament to the outstanding education Charter Arts provides.

Charter Arts, opened in 2003, celebrates its twelfth year as one of the most respected high schools for the arts in the nation and will experience a significant milestone this year as it moves to a newly-constructed facility in south Bethlehem for the start of the 2015/2016 school year. The new facility resides on East Third Street, in the heart of the city’s arts and cultural district, and will feature much-needed additional classrooms and studios, a digital laboratory, a resource library, a ‘green’ roof, commons deli and a 350-seat performing arts theater. The new facility will allow for an increase in enrollment and an expansion of programs; the first expansion will include a new Literary Arts major offered for the 2015/2016 school year.

To learn more about the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts, visit www.CharterArts.org or call 610-868-2971.

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