October 26, Nyack, NY – Maps of the international fashion world now include Rockland County, thanks to Rockland Fashion Week, presented once again this year for the third time — bigger and better than ever.
Produced by Hope Wade Designs of Nyack, Rockland Fashion Week 2022 “Your Bridge to Fashion” culminates with a gala runway show set for Saturday, November 5 from 5:30pm – 8:30pm at the Palisades Center mall, located at 1000 Palisades Center Drive in West Nyack.
The main runway event will showcase the work of 10 local designers, including Hope Wade’s own couture line. Entertainment will be offered by saxophonist Herve Alexandre and MC Qui Talks. The runway will be set up in front of the H&M store on the first floor of the mall.
As a warm-up to the runway event, Palisades Center will host a special show of designer accessories the day before — November 4 (Friday) from 7:00 – 8:30pm.
“We’re proud to present the amazing creativity of local artists in this annual celebration,” said Wade. “It showcases the wealth of talent we have right here in our local communities, and inspires all of us, including our young people, to explore opportunities in this fascinating industry.”
Tickets for the big show are available here:Get Tickets. TheVIP ticket choice includes an exclusive cocktail hour prior to the show at Picanha Brazilian Steakhouse, priority front-row seating and a swag bag brimming with valuable gifts.
Guests are encouraged to dress to show their personal ‘fashionista’ style.
Rockland Fashion Week has a strong community focus. This year, the program includes a partnership with The Breast Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital which will bring five fierce cancer survivors to the runway as models. Khloe Berry, a ten-year old with Dravet Syndrome, will also grace the runway with her modeling skills, supported by R2M Realty.
The program includes a special donation to the Center for Safety and Change,a community-based non-profit offeringlife-saving, life-changing services to victims of domestic violence and other crimes.
“Fashion Week is about beautiful clothes, but also about the beauty and strength we bring to the challenges we face in our every day lives,” said Wade.
During the week leading up to the November 5th gala, additional community-focused activities will include educational presentations in local middle and high schools, as well as pop-up shops in boutiques around Rockland County and at the Palisades Center.
“We’ll be in the schools engaging students in the ‘business of fashion,’ as well as supporting our retail colleagues around the county,” said Wade.”
About Hope Wade. Wade courageously opened her Nyack shop in September of 2020 while the pandemic was still raging. Since then, she has kept her business humming, creating couture dresses and gowns for women and children. She selects materials, designs, sketches and sews every garment she sells.
Fashion isn’t the only arena where Wade is making a mark. She currently serves as president of the Jamaican Civic & Cultural Association of Rockland (JAMCCAR), a decades-old civic organization that provides a platform for politicians and community leaders to explore and address issues of local concern. Among other activities, the organization awards scholarships to local high school students headed for college.
The future of fashion in Rockland. ‘Ambitious’ just barely begins to describe Wade’s goals for the future. “I want Rockland Fashion Week to become a staple in Rockland County that not only showcases clothing designers, but becomes a full-time employer and a training school for models and fashion professionals,” said Wade.
“I want to build a factory so that designers, especially those of color, have facilities to manufacture their clothing. I would love to give a scholarship annually to an emerging designer – with no age limit. It would also be fun to create a fashion talk show and a shopping network.”
Why Nyack, and why Rockland as the place to pursue her dreams? Wade’s answer: “This place
reminds me of Port Royal in Kingston, Jamaica where I grew up. Nyack is a town with special charm. Rockland is a richly diverse community, sophisticated, vibrant, full of possibilities. And the people are beautiful.”
Participating fashion industry artists include:
Brown’s Touch
Fredlyne Burns – Le Painture
CIK Eyewear
Time To Clothes*
Sandra Szpicek Leylegian – The Things I Love*
Annmarie Jameson- Elite Repeat*
Lorraine Freeman – Customly Yours*
Taylored by God
Riddim Driven
Highly Humble
Rusty Hanes – Maestro*
Hope Wade Designs*
*Rockland County-based
TICKETS:
LINKS TO FASHION WEEK INFO: