A Review: Jersey City Fashion Week

There is a roar in New-Jersey's art community after last week's Jersey City Fashion week that has draped the town with a possibility of change, having everyone from local non profits to major sponsors coming together for the uplifting of a community.

.It was five nights and five fashion shows exemplifying the best of todays art, businesses aficionados, and community leaders from NJ; highlighting those unafraid to stand for good, and awarding those at the forefront of positivity and change. With Desha Jackson, attorney and community leader, at the wheel, everyone from high end designers, to former super bowl contenders, and even Jim Jones came together in tethering design to drive in change.

'It's a charitable list of events, and whenever there is a cause behind something, and its fun - its always terrific,' said author, fashionista, and host for the VIP showcase Delvon Johnson. 'Its grown substantially since its start just a few years ago. Its a major success.

JCFW's purpose is to celebrate fashion, entertainment, and highlight businesses in Jersey City to create an opportunity that gives back to the community by fund-raising for charity, said its main website, JerseyCityFashionweek.com. In 2012 JCFW' donated $900 to each Jersey City charity involved. This year it did more.

'What we do when considering recipients for our award show is look for leaders and their contributions to the community, and how it matches JCFW,' said Priscilla Pender of Jo Pri Consulting. 'last year we searched for people who helped jersey city, this year we expanded it to Hudson County. This season's JCFW award recipients were Benedicto Figueroa, Helen Castillo, Senator Robert Menendez, Monique Smith-Andrew.'

.The non-profit organizations that were highlighted and awarded at this year's JCFW were The Concordia Learning Center at St. Jospeh School of the Blind - a NJ based school dedicated to providing services to children, and adults, visually impaired or blind; And the Mo Hair Foundation, a NJ based non-profit who's mission is to provide children and adults suffering from hair loss caused by various medical conditions - providing surgical hair replacement services free of charge, said Pender.

.Other than the numerous charities involved and rewarded, the week long event featured some major names in the fashion industry.

.Fashion to me is an form of visual art and everyone does it different. And thats what makes this event great. It's important, because what I wear will give you a taste of who I am. Whether it gives me confidence or becomes a trend.' said professional model, Alice Lopez, who walked exclusively for Project Runway All-star designer, Hellen Costillo.

louis Allen, a seasoned model who began his career in local fashion shows at NJ colleges to then being featured on VH1 runways, didn't always want too model, but he knew he wanted to make a difference. And he found a home at JCFW.

'It was a very nice venue; a very well put together event. It's cause... thats what makes it special. I look forward to its growth. I can't wait to see what great designers continue to join. I'm glad to be a part. Its a good cause for a change.'

.And if change or positivity was ever boring from a marketing perspective, then the art of expression had proven to yield people in a way that grabbed audiences from all demographics to come together and share a commonality that sees through racial disparities, and class lines.

.Ask super bowl champion, owner of I ifilmmaking.com, and Jersey City Fashion Week board member , Darrel Reid. 'Art and fashion does not have any color lines, any ethnic lines, or status, or income - none of that matters! what matters is your creativity. what matters is your creativity and your product, and that's what unites people from different ethnicities, and different levels.'