Fashion for Paws Ready to Rock the Catwalk

Photo by Local Kicks Mrs. Alexandria, Michelle D'Ettorre, walks the catwalk at last year's Fashion for Paws.

Washington, DC –  Fashion for Paws is baaaack.

This Saturday, the 4th annual Fashion for Paws (F4P) event will take place at the Embassy of Italy from 8 pm to midnight to benefit the Washington Humane Society (WHS).   

Photo by Local Kicks Kirk Wiles with Jaclyn Gower at last year's event.

This year, the event will be Chaired by Amanda Polk, with the Executive Committee Co-Chaired by Windy Shepard and Heather Guay. The Mistress of Ceremonies will be Pamela Sorensen.  

F4P infuses the nation’s capital with cutting edge high fashion, drawing an extraordinary crowd of VIP’s, fashion and animals lovers alike. The fashion show and fundraising event features sixty notable personalities as the models on the runway.

F4P includes 3 different categories of models walking the runway, with one category comprised of fundraising models who participate in a friendly fundraising competition. The top male and female fundraiser will be awarded the title “F4P Model Washingtonian of the Year,” on the runway.

So far, the leading female model fundraiser, Dr. Dondi Dahlgaard has raised more than $20,000, with model Sunanda Patel following closely behind, raising almost $17,000. Thanks to our sponsors and all of our models, Fashion for Paws 2010 has raised more than $288,000 already, with the goal of raising $350,000.

This year, Tysons Galleria retailer’s Saks Fifth Avenue, Betsey Johnson, Seven for All Mankind, Karen Millen, Ermenegildo Zegna, Nicole Miller, Basler, Liljenquist & Beckstead, Cole Haan, Aram and more, will dominate the runway.  Production sponsor Syzygy Events has created a one of a kind event design and runway and Sachi Sood of PartyLand Event & Décor has created a magical design with linens and flowers for the VIP tables.

Photo by Local Kicks Cecil has his moment.

The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) is flying in an eleven piece couture collection, in addition of having top design student, Clay Sadler, create a spectacular gown inspired by our sponsor, Vitaminwater Zero, which will all be displayed in the HDO tent, named our FIDM Gallery. Make-up will be done by Chanel and hair will be styled by Toka Salon & Day Spa.

Aba Kwawu will be behind the scenes again this year working to organize the styling of the models and the run of the fashion show; a challenging task considering the volume of models and retailers on this year’s runway.

Canine Couture will be created by Barkley Square Gourmet Dog Bakery & Boutique as well as WagTime, and will be in keeping with the designs worn by the two-legged models on the runway.

Teatro Goldoni restaurant will be the VIP table catering sponsor, providing lavish Italian fare for VIP table guests, along with bottle service for provided for VIP tables by Emperor Vodka. New this year will be Benefactors Reception for VIP Table Buyers beginning at 7:00 p.m., and dinner being served to each table at 7:30 p.m.

Also, new this year will also be a phenomenal silent auction with items such as a 3 night Bed & Breakfast Package in a one Bedroom Canopy Suite at the luxurious Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica, 4 tickets to American Idol, autographed Michael Jordon basketball, 2 VIP tickets to talk show filming in Hollywood, John Varvatos suit, 4 VIP concert tickets and Meet n’ Greet laminates with photo op with a famous rock band, custom Zegna suit, autographed Washington Capital’s Hockey stick, Obagi Skincare package, 2 night stay at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort with 2 nights boarding at their new pet spa, and so much more!

The official F4P after party for all F4P attendees will take place at Josephine Lounge from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.

Photo by Joseph Allen for The Washington Humane Society. Fox5 morning news anchor Steve Chenevey played MC at Fashion for Paws and took a second to pose with WHS Adoptable dog Kaiser

All proceeds from Fashion for Paws benefit the Washington Humane Society (WHS). WHS, the only Congressionally-chartered animal welfare agency in the United States, has been the Washington, DC area’s leading voice for animals since 1870.

As the only open-access shelter in the Nation’s Capital, WHS provides comfort and care to over 30,000 animals each year through its broad range of programs and services including sheltering, adoption, spay and neuter, CatNiPP, humane law enforcement, lost and found, human–animal therapy programs and humane education in city schools. Visit: www.washhumane.org for more information on WHS.

For more information and a full list of 2010 models, committee and sponsors please visit, http://www.fashionforpaws.org/