Au Courant 2013

Last night was the third annual StyleWeek Northeast Au Courant fashion show benefit for Child & Family. It was awesome.

Like last year, I volunteered at Au Courant handing out programs and helping out the silent auction, but other than that, I was at liberty to enjoy the event like the attendees. I met a lot of great people, including Andrea McHugh of Newport StylePhile and Janine Weisman of the Mercury. Nearly every Newport media publication or blog came to Au Courant to cover the glitz and glamour of the show, but it's also great publicity for Child & Family.

I tried volunteering for Child & Family during the school year--unfortunately, I got caught up with classes and clubs, so I was never able to make a long-term commitment. The community service office at Salve Regina University does hold opportunities for students to help out at social service centers in Newport, including Child & Family. The organization is always looking for a helping hand in the community if you are interested in getting involved.

Styleweek hosted a smaller fundraising event for Child & Family on Thursday night at the Casino Theater. It was a film screening of Girl Rising, a critically acclaimed documentary focused on nine girls living in nine developing countries and how to empower young women all over the world. I wasn't able to go, but I heard it was an inspiring event.

Balloon sculptures created by Float-Janice Lee Kelly, a RISD graduate

Attendees finding their seats and mingling away

Kent Stetson clutches and bags--if I wasn't saving for France, I would have bought one...

Restored by Design Jewelry

World of JAS--it's not a style I'm used to, but it is a cool and interesting brand

Luke Aaron--so elegant

Flaunt Boutique--I fell in love with the clutches they had (below).

Of course they were from Italy...

Keith Tavares, Vice President of Institutional Advancement of Child and Family

The three chairs of the Au Courant, Rosanna Ortiz Sinel, the founder of Styleweek Northeast thanks the audience for attending the event

Yellow Clover

The theme: Alice and Wonderland

The Designers

Jonathan Joseph Peters

Jess Abernethy

World of JAS

Susan Troy

Chances R Designs

Yellow Clover

Luke Aaron

**All of the designs had their own special qualities, but I would have to say that Yellow Clover and Luke Aaron were my favorites

I didn't want to buy a new dress for Au Courant, so I wore a Charlotte Russe black jumpsuit my mom had given me, Coach heels and jewelry from Crosswynds Traders. Besides the inevitable heel tottering at the end of the night, I was comfortable despite in the humidity.