2017 New/NEXT Fashion Showcase

The New/NEXT Fashion Showcase, now in its second year, will feature the exclusive collections and talents of the fashion designers in the DC Fashion Incubator (DCFI) one-year residency and DCFI Public Program, as well as highlight fashion designers and artists in the district.The Designers in Residence @ Macy's Metro Center will present their Fall 2017 collections. This exciting, one-day-only presentation will feature a runway fashion show, showroom, and boutique pop-ups.

What: New/NEXT Fashion Showcase

When: April 28, 2017 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM (VIP Reception is from 6:00 to 7:00 PM)

Where: Blind Whino SW Arts Club, 700 Delaware Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20024

Tickets: Please purchase below.

Sponsors: Please see our New/NEXT Fashion Showcase Sponsorship Packet below.

Proceeds from the New/NEXT Showcase support two DCFF programs: The DC Fashion Incubator (DCFI) @ Macy’s Metro Center and the DCFI Public Program, Made in the District. These programs develop and train the world’s next fashion business owners and help job creators in the areas of fashion, style, merchandising, and related technology, right here in the nation’s capital. The exact initiatives that DCFF intends proceeds to support include expanding the DCFI Designers-in-Residence from five to seven designers, securing manufacturing technology (specifically embroidery machinery), creating an internship program for local university and trade school students, developing additional fundraising events and outreach efforts, and expanding DCFI marketing. 

Tickets
DC Fashion Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, with the tax ID 26-4560980. A portion of ticket sales are tax-deductible contributions to a non-profit organization. 
Sponsorships
Learn about becoming a sponsor of the New/NEXT Fashion Showcase. This opportunity offers a host of exclusive benefits designed to enhance your brand’s visibility, while supporting what is quickly becoming the premier fashion event for emerging and experienced fashion industry professionals in the DC area.
Sponsorship Packet

We are grateful for your sponsorship, and we are happy to accept your contribution using your preferred method: 

Sponsor by Credit or Debit Card

Please click here to submit your card details. Write "New/NEXT Fashion Showcase" under "Designation" on the first page. 

Sponsor by Check 

Please mail a completed Sponsorship Form and check to: DC Fashion Foundation, 1629 K St. NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20006. 

New/NEXT Fashion Showcase Leadership and Featured Guests
Honorary Fashion Chair
Marvin Bowser

Marvin Bowser

Actor, Lifestyle Blogger, Consultant, #FirstBroDC

Marvin Bowser is starting the fourth chapter in his life and career. The first three chapters span 34 years of Defense-related work. He served ten years in the United States Air Force as an Intelligence Officer, six years as a Navy civilian leading telecommunications programs and 18 years at a large defense contractor managing several cutting edge high-tech programs. During this time, Marvin traveled extensively internationally and sampled the art and cultures of the world. He developed his own sense of style, appreciation of the arts and international cuisine.

Marvin served on the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities for six in various capacities to include Vice Chair, Treasurer, At-Large and as the Ward 7 Commissioner. He also Co-Chaired the Arts and Creative Economy Transition Committee during Mayor Muriel Bowser’s transition. Marvin knows many fashion leaders, artists, and arts organizations, their capabilities and issues, from his tenure on the Arts Commission.

During this fourth chapter, Marvin is focusing on more creative pursuits like acting, travel, writing, style and the arts. He portrays the ruthless Barron Davenport in the Davenport Diaries web-series and just appeared in blue heart beats an original work by DC playwright Catherine Frost during the Intersections Festival at the Atlas Theater. He will also consult to put his considerable engineering and managerial experience to good use.

He is an avid gardener and accomplished cook who resides in the Hillcrest community in Ward 7. 　Marvin collects Depression glass and American pottery. Marvin holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration from American University, and a Masters of Arts in telecommunications from George Washington University.

Fashion Chair
Karen Maria Alston

Karen Maria Alston

Founder, Entrepreneur, Marketer, and Brand Expert

Affectionately known as The Advertising Diva, Karen Maria Alston is a branding and marketing expert. In 2002, Karen stepped out on faith, left her job at America Online to follow her passion and create Alston Marketing Group now d/b/a, AM+G Marketing Communications. Alston Marketing Group, based in Washington, DC, has a large roster of current and former clients and created several notable advertising campaigns in the Washington, DC area including the red bikes known as Capital Bikeshare. In 2015, Karen founded the innovative women’s empowerment and professional development organization, The Spectrum Circle. Born as a 3rd generation entrepreneur and a 4th generation college graduate Karen knew early on in her career she would eventually work for herself and become a business owner as previous generations. AM+G has grown steadily over the past years and has carved a niche working with government, local schools and non-profits developing stellar marketing and branding campaigns. Because of her illustrious profession and business acumen, she has been featured in several print and online publications, radio, internet webinars and TV shows. She is also a sought after speaker for many marketing industry conferences on a range of topics such as digital media, traditional marketing, government contracting, and her favorite topic the “burdens of the superwoman” which was the pre-cursor to The Spectrum Circle. Upon founding The Spectrum Circle, she has been a sought after expert and asked to speak on numerous panels and conferences around the country on women’s empowerment, career guidance and issues pertaining to women and the glass ceiling. In January 2015, The Annenberg Center at Sunnylands asked Karen to participate on a panel of experts on emergency communications, alongside technology luminaries such as Vint Cert and Adam Clayton Powell, III. In 2015, Copa Style Magazine named her its inaugural “2015 Woman of the Year.” In April 2016, American Enterprise Institute (AEI) asked her to participate in its AEI Leadership Forum on urban policy and poverty in Washington, DC along with sixty other leaders from around the country. Karen Maria Alston received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance from Howard University, an Executive Education Certificate in Branding and Design from Harvard University, and an Executive Education Certificate in Non Profit Management from Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University. She has been admitted to Harvard Business School Executive Education program in June 2017 for a specialized class in Women’s Leadership.
Host Committee

CFAE Commissioners 

  • Jason "Tino" Anthony - Commissioner, CFAE 
  • Kristopher Johnson-Hoyle - Commissioner, CFAE and Senior Editor, Raine Magazine

Fashion Influencers

  • Ann-Lise AuClair Jones - Smithsonian Women's Committee 
  • Kim Bang - International Trade Administration, US Department of Commerce 
  • A. Dennis Baxter II - Consultant, Managing Partner, Hawthorne Hemlock
  • Pia Brown - Hospitality Sector Manager, DMPED 
  • Jan DuPlain - Embassy Liaison, Office of Trade Promotion
  • Rosie Faulkner - CEO, Styled True 
  • Toni Foster - Critique Boutique
  • Maggy Francois - CEO, Maggy Francois LLC
  • Kimberly D. Hart - The Winning Strategist
  • Miamah Karmo - CEO, Tigerlily Foundation
  • Elina Kazan - VP of Media, Macy's
  • Nancy Low - Smithsonian Women's Committee
  • Violetta Markelou - Visual Artist, Makeup Artist, and Beats & Beautiful Music 
  • Harley Morgan - CEO, ROE the Agency
  • Lynda Mounts - Smithsonian Women's Committee
  • Kelly Paul - DC Representative, Beam Suntory 
  • Ann Peel - Smithsonian Women's Committee 
  • Kristi Riggs - Owner and Creative Director, Kristi Love 
  • Amin Salam - President, National US Arab Chamber of Commerce
  • Yasmin Radbod - Femme Fatale DC 
  • Premila Raj - Owner, Bliss Nightclub
  • Asha Rivers - Entrepreneur 
  • Janice Wallace - CEO, Facon Magazine
  • Rochelle Wilson - Success Geeks
DCFF/ DCFI Leadership
DCFF Leadership

  • Christine Brooks-Cropper - DCFF Founder
  • Nora Carrol 
  • Chonita Dixon 
  • Kesha Hamlin
  • Rachel O'Connell
  • Lilyan Satz

DCFI Leadership

  • Shaka King
Sponsors
We thank our generous sponsors. If you are interested in supporting the New/NEXT Fashion Showcase, please see our Sponsorship Packet for more information.  

www.dcfashionfoundation.org  |  @dcfashionincubator  |  @DCFashionFdn  |  info@dcfashionfoundation.org

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