More than 200 fashion enthusiasts made the trek across the Potomac River into Arlington on October 15 for Fashion Fights Poverty’s sixth annual gala. While the goal was to raise awareness and funds for Woodrow Wilson High School’s clothing and textile program, the evening event marked the first fashion-focused gathering held at the brand new Artisphere venue, and also celebrated the organization's being named one of four resident companies at the new art space. Looking to share the spotlight, the organization also used the gala to highlight three new fashion collections and two emerging artists.

“This event marks the rebirth of an organization, and we wanted to offer a sneak peak at what is to come from Fashion Fights Poverty,” said Michael Dumlao, co-founder and creative director of Fashion Fights Poverty. “Being a new space, we wanted to put on a new type of runway show and give the attendees a chance to see fashion in a new way. We wanted to create more of a live fashion exhibit where people could get up close and personal with the collections, as opposed to the typical runway show, where people watch from a distance.”  

Held in the large, two-level ballroom, the fashion exhibit featured new collections from Nomi Ansari, Chez Kevito, and Crooked Monkey. With models set on a series of raised platforms and posing as if they were in an art gallery, guests were welcome to wander in between them and view the collections from an out-of-the-ordinary vantage point. In addition to the fashion exhibit, attendees were also encouraged to explore the new venue that offer three galleries and three theaters, one of which showcased the work of Clarina Bezzola, a performance artist from Zurich, Switzerland.  

To close out the evening, the organization presented its inaugural Avant-Garde Inspiration Award to Gerry Coates and also welcomed Jive recording artist Matisse, who performed three songs from her upcoming album.