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Activate Good Connects Local Designers, Nonprofits

Activate Good will hold its fourth annual Couture for a Cause fashion show on Saturday, November 10, 2012 at Marbles Kids Museum in downtown Raleigh. Couture for a Cause is a fashion show that highlights participating nonprofit partners and raises funds to help support Activate Good’s programs. Activate Good recruits people, groups, and companies that want to volunteer and connects them with local nonprofits.

The show will pair Activate Good’s nonprofit partners with local designers who create ready-to-wear and couture outfits that embody the mission and spirit of the nonprofit they are paired with. The designers whose outfits best capture the essence of their organization according to a judges’ panel wins a cash prize. This year, designer competition scores will also include audience voting.

Meet Designer Rachel Bridge

Growing up in Winston-Salem with a mom who worked in graphic design, Rachel Bridge always knew that an artistic career was in her future. Ms. Bridge is now a Junior at NC State, studying Art + Design and Textile Technology through a double major called the Anni Albers Scholars Program.

This unique major fuses the disciplines of art and science, allowing Ms. Bridge to express herself through fashion and art while at the same time learning the science of making fibers and textiles.

Ms. Bridge takes inspiration in nature and is keenly interested in color theory. She likes to experiment with mixed media in fashion and incorporate fine art elements into her designs. She previously participated in NC State’s Art to Wear fashion show and used mixed media elements in her designs for that show.

This time around, the shorter schedule and very specific theme inspired her to use more bright, primary colors and create garments with a more urban feel.

Ms. Bridge will be representing the Boys and Girls Club of Wake County. The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs is to provide a nurturing after school environment that assists young people reach their full potential as productive, responsible citizens.

Sketch courtesy of Rachel Bridge

Meet Designer Sahar Zamir


Ms. Zamir’s love of creating fashion began as a young girl in Afghanistan watching her grandmother sew. “I loved when she would create dresses for my doll and me. Sitting next to her watching the craft and her care of each garment gave me a great pride to learn a priceless gift. I began to sneak her sewing items to practice and honor my grandmother’s gift of love she was giving me.”

Ms. Zamir’s describes her designs as “embracing passion and freedom.” She aims to capture the individual’s inner beauty and reflect her belief “‘no matter what, everyone has something beautiful within that makes them unique.’”

After graduating college, Ms. Zamir participated in many fashion shows: Raleigh Fashion Week, Couture for a Cause, Make a Wish, Vitamin Water, Beautiful Chaos, Isaac Hunter, and several fashion shows in D.C. during Afghan Fashion week.

Ms. Zamir’s pieces can be purchased locally at Jaspeer Fashion Boutique at Crabtree.

Ms. Zamir’s non-profit inspiration is the Alliance of AIDS Services – Carolina. The mission of the Alliance of AIDS Services – Carolina is compassionate and non-judgmental care, prevention, education, and advocacy for people living with HIV/AIDS, their loved ones, caregivers and communities at large.

The Couture for a Cause Participants

Designer: Inspired By: Modeled by:
Rebecca Walker AHC Foundation Lindsey Williams
Sahar Zamir Alliance of AIDS Services Eryka Edwards
Kimberly Wills-Starin Boys & Girls Club Alicia Betancourt
Rachel Bridge Boys & Girls Club Mary Wyker
Natalie Drennon
2011 winner
Caring Community Foundation Charlene Morgan
Jasmine Rhodes CONCERT Gina Otyaluk
Keely Cansler Futures for Kids Zoe
Kayley Jolly Grow and Share Andie Falconi
Britt Nance North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition Jasmine Broadnax
Christina Shipman International Free Computer Training and Charitable Center Desiree Grimes
Lee Blackwell International Focus Danielle Reynolds
Larissa Baransky Legacy Event Planners Katrina Kimmel
Kelly Ann Ross PineCone – Piedmont Council of Traditional Music Zoe Zorka-Burmeister
Glenna Teague The Salvation Army of Wake County Jenn Ryan
Ashleigh Boyette The Green Chair Project Alina Patel
Iesha Usher The Green Chair Project Elizabeth Analeigh
Amanda Thiel The Helps Education Fund Michelle Congleton
Kori Waldrup Triangle ArtWorks Kyara Crayton
Mallory Robinson Urban Ministries of Wake County Nicole Burgess

More Information about Couture for a Cause

Visit activategood.org/coutureforacause to learn more about the designers and nonprofits featured in this year’s show.

General admission tickets are $30 at the door.

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