Newport Non-profits Combine Philanthropy and Fashion for Summer 2015

When choosing what do and where to go this summer, it's hard to pass up a good party—especially if it's for a good cause.

Here's a quick round-up of some of the most fun and fashionable summer benefits to check out in Newport:

Au Courant: The Golden Age of Hollywood

Friday, June 26, 2015

Hosted by Child & Family & StyleWeek Northeast 

I have volunteered at Au Courant every year and it's been a great event to not only check out the latest from emerging fashion designers in New England, but, more importantly, support one of the oldest organizations dedicated to building stronger communities by building strong families. 

Buy tickets >>

16th Annual Angela Moore Fashion Show & Champagne Brunch

Thursday, July 9, 2015

Hosted by Angela Moore and The Preservation Society of Newport County 

If you've ever been on a mansion tour on any of the Preservation Society properties, the proceeds from your ticket help keep the mansions and their grounds beautiful (not to mention architecturally sound). The ticket proceeds for the Angela Moore Fashion Show & Brunch will also benefit the Preservation Society, as well as feature an exhibit showcasing iconic fashions from 1945 through the present. 

Buy tickets >> 

A Night at the Museum: A Beaux Arts Ball

Saturday, July 18, 2015

Hosted by The Newport Art Museum and Arts Association

I have never been to a fundraiser for the Newport Art Museum, but every time I see pictures, I always regret not attending. If you can't stay for the entire evening, separate tickets are also available for dinner, main celebration, and the after party. 

Buy tickets >>

Fiesta Verde

Saturday, July 25, 2015

Hosted by the Aquidneck Island Land Trust

It's a big year for the Aquidneck Land Trust—they're celebrating 25 years of preserving open space in Newport, Middletown and Portsmouth. I may or may not be extremely biased in saying that this is an important non-profit for Aquidneck Island—I'm on the Advancement Committee for ALT—but it doesn't change the fact that making efforts to save our local environment also saves our communities on a deeper level. 

Buy tickets >>

Boats and Bowties

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Hosted by The Confetti Foundation

If I am correct, this is the only organization in this post that is hosting its inaugural summer philanthropic event. Essentially, The Confetti Foundation holds birthday parties for children in hospitals to brighten their day. It's sure to become one of the regular Newport summer fundraisers.

Buy tickets >>

newportFILM's 6th Annual Summer Benefit

Saturday, August 8, 2015

Hosted by newportFILM 

newportFILM is known for two things—great movies and great parties. If the success of their Bollywood Friendraiser this spring is any indication of how the summer benefit will go, this is on the must-list for your Newport summer.

Buy tickets >>

Rhode Island's Fashion Scene Shares 2015 Style Resolutions

One of my goals for 2015 is to highlight the fashion and style scene in Rhode Island.

For this post, I reached out to established fashion professionals who I have seen in Newport or currently follow on social media. I enjoyed speaking and corresponding with a group of such amazing people--it's hard not to feel inspired by their stories and their visions:

Jess Ann Kirby

Fashion Blogger, Prosecco & Plaid

There are a lot of reasons to love Newport--the beaches, the shops, the people... However, if your personal style doesn't fit the typical nautical-preppy image of Rhode Island's City by the Sea, chances are you may look a bit out of place wearing high heels on Bellevue Avenue. Words cannot express how happy I was to stumble across Jess's blog and see how she's updating the style scene in Newport and New England.

What she's looking forward to most in 2015:

Celebrating her first full year of full-time blogging, as well as upcoming travel plans and design collaborations. "Working for yourself is so different from the corporate, "9 to 5" lifestyle, but I wouldn't change it for the world."

Fashion Resolution for 2015:

Focus on key wardrobe staples. "People go back for the pieces they feel comfortable in."

The Trends That Can Stay in 2014:

Wedge sneakers. 

"I'm over the crop top thing, but if it's done well, great!"

Jill Marinelli

Personal Stylist, JM Stylist

Jill has been doing her work for a while--she's also a style correspondent for The Rhode Show and has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Vogue and Lucky. Despite the fact she's always out and about in Providence, I think I found out about her on Twitter. If you want to learn how to be a master stylist, or simply learn how to clean up your style, you can enroll in Jill's Personal Stylist Training Program.

What she's looking forward to most in 2015:
Growing her business and doing more speaking engagements to reach new audiences.

Fashion Resolution for 2015:
Upgrade the underwear drawer!
*Blogger's Note: Watch Jill's appearance on The Rhode Show and listen to her full list of style resolutions for 2015!

The Trend That Can Stay in 2014:
Dolman sleeves. "They take away from the form of a woman's waist," an area that should be highlighted.

Rosanna Ortiz Sinel

Founder & CEO, StyleWeek Northeast

Rosanna is someone who I have wanted to speak with for a long time. I first learned about StyleWeek in 2012 when Au Courant, the fashion show benefit for Child & Family, was being held in Ochre Court. Rosanna's vision for a fashion week in New England, with the epicenter based in Providence, is a reminder that exquisite style doesn't just exist in New York City or Paris--it can be found right in your own backyard. 

What she's looking forward to most in 2015:

Launching a fresh, new look for StyleWeek's website and exploring more opportunities for StyleWeek in Boston

Fashion Resolutions for 2015:

"Dress a little bit more lady-like" by wearing more dresses and skirts.

Wear more pieces inspired by the late 70s, like jumpsuits à la Bianca Jagger

The Trend That Can Stay in 2014:

Flared jeans. "It's nice to have a more tapered, straight leg paired with a long jacket."

Melanie Patterson

Fashion Blogger, Radical Darling

I was chatting with Providence-based photography Brittanny Taylor last fall when she told me about Melanie's blog. When Melanie and I spoke over the phone, she mentioned that she's been featured in Glamour and Teen Vogue. No big deal, or anything...

What she's looking forward to most in 2015:
Finding her dream job in Boston working with a boutique design firm.
*Blogger's note: Melanie has recently landed a job as a creative recruiter in Boston!

Fashion Resolution for 2015: 
Dividing and conquering the clothes in her closet. "I own so much clothing--but I've never worn it all!"

The Trend That Can Stay in 2014: 
Satirized designer logos

Nick Pini

Fashion Designer, PINI

Photo Credit: Inside StyleWeek

I can pinpoint the exact moment when I fell in love with a PINI design. It was during the 2014 Au Courant StyleWeek-Child & Family benefit at Belle Mer. I was looking at this gorgeous creation of grey and silk on hanger that happened to take form of a cocktail dress. I specifically remember looking at the delicate rows of beading, imagining the level of attention it took for them to look so perfect, then looking at Nick, and repeatedly telling him, so articulately, "I. Can't. Even." 

What he's looking forward to most in 2015:

Traveling to gather inspiration for his work and sharing his ideas with others. "I have had some amazing experiences come out of the chances I took that seemed the most risky. So I plan to do more of that."

Fashion Resolution for 2015:

Avoid fast fashion stores and invest in pieces that will last.

The Trend That Can Stay in 2014:

"Clear plastic straps, just because!"

Au Courant 2014 at Belle Mer

Last Friday, I had the privilege of volunteering at the third annual Au Courant, the fashion show benefit co-hosted by Child & Family and StyleWeek Northeast. As a nice change of scenery from Ochre Court at Salve Regina, this year's Au Courant was held at Belle Mer on Goat Island. 

I can't stress enough how amazing this event is. Au Courant is not just a fashionable evening to get dressed up, watch a runway show and enjoy gourmet hors d'oeuvres and drinks. It's a creative way to raise a lot money for children and families who need the support to achieve their goals for a better future. 

Giving is always in fashion.

The runway setup

Tables for vendors and designers

It turns out that there are two properties on Goat Island--the Hyatt and Belle Mer. Belle Mer is fresh, more modern venue in Newport, which fits StyleWeek Northeast's chic rapport. 

Au Courant is one of the most fashionable events in Newport--StyleWeek Northeast brings the most talented designers from New England to showcase the latest and greatest sportswear and formal wear. Here are some of my favorite looks from the evening: 

Avni

PINI

Jess Abernethy

Luke Aaron

If you look at the looks from the previous Au Courant runway shows--take a look at 2012 and 2013--I would have to say that this year was the most stylish.

Congratulations to StyleWeek Northeast and Child & Family for hosting a wonderful event!

Au Courant 2014

I have volunteered for Au Courant, the annual StyleWeek Northeast fashion benefit for Child & Family, the past two years and I am happy to volunteer once again for 2014! Newport Stylephile has also written a blog post on the upcoming event, but I pulled together a press release using the information from the event's main website:

Child & Family and Styleweek Northeast are proud to announce that the third annual Au Courant, the most fashionable evening in Newport, Rhode Island, will be held on Friday, June 20, 2014 at Belle Mer. Embraced by fashion professionals, enthusiasts, and the media alike, Au Courant celebrates and promotes the extraordinary creative talents of some of the finest designers in the Northeast.

StyleWeek Northeast delivers a runway show that is designed to rivals those seen in Paris and New York City. Both up-and-coming and well established designers are chosen to partake in this incredible show—previous designers featured at Au Courant include Project Runway “alumni” Jonathan Joseph Peters and Joseph Aaron Segal.

In addition to watching the fashion show, attendees are able to bid on both silent and live auction items while enjoying delicious hors d’oeuvres and exquisite desserts during the cocktail party. Previous auction items have included lunch in New York City with fashion guru Tim Gunn, weekend long spa retreats and gorgeous jewelry from Swarovski. Attendees also have the exclusive opportunity to meet the fashion designers featured at Au Courant and purchase the fashion designers’ clothing, handbags and accessories.

While guests experience the alluring energy of a major runway show they are also aware that their generosity is supporting Child & Family, one of the oldest and largest social service providers in the state of Rhode Island. The proceeds from Au Courant help make a difference in the lives of children and families throughout the state.

To purchase tickets, please visit Child & Family’s website.

To learn more about StyleWeek Northeast, visit their website.

Friday, June 20, 2014

6:00 - 11:00 p.m.

Belle Mer

2 Goat Island

Newport, Rhode Island 02840

I wrote for Newport Stylephile last September to report on StyleWeek Northeast's season finale show--you can check out the post here.

Styleweek August 2013

Since I became aware of Styleweek Northeast two years ago, I have never gone to a Styleweek show in Providence until last Friday. In the past, I volunteered at Au Courant in Newport, Styleweek's benefit for Child and Family, but never had the time to run "all the way" to Providence juggling school or work.

I reported the finale of Styleweek for Andrea of Newport Stylephile by taking a bunch of photos on my digital camera, as well as rapid fire social media legwork on Twitter and Instagram. Until everything's posted on Newport Stylephile, I don't want to give too much away, so here's a few pictures from the accessory showcase:

I loved these fragrances by Roberta Andrade! Based in Boston, her fragrances are the perfect touch to any outfit. The two fragrances I fell in love with were "Water" and "No. 13"

You can also check out this Storify I created for Styleweek!

Newport: Au Courant Fashion Show at Ochre Court

Au Courant: An Evening Too Marvelous for Words was a fashion show held in Ochre Court that featured local New England designers and benefited Child and Family's community programs. When I heard of Au Courant in the beginning of the summer, I was excited to attend, but soon found out tickets were a little outside of my starving college student budget.

Nevertheless, I was still determined to go.

I contacted the Child and Family director a few days ago to see if they needed any more volunteers for the event. Yesterday morning, I received an email that notified me of the meeting time and dress code--I could not have been more happy.

The only thing that separated me from Au Courant was the Literature of Oxford final essay. It took all day and lost out on a gorgeous beach day, but I managed to finish it before getting ready and heading out to Newport. 

The fashion show was incredibly relaxed--there was no sense of urgency. Guests checked-in upon entering around 6:00pm then mingled and grabbed a few appetizers and cocktails before the runway show started at 7:00pm. Of course, no one really settled until 7:20pm and the show started a few minutes later.

The Designers

Denise Hajjar

Avni Trivedi

Joseph Aaron Segal

Jessica Abernethy

Sarah Prost

Jonathan Joseph Peters

Kent Stetson*

Marcela Calvet*

*Clutches/Handbags

Fact: Jonathan Joseph Peters is a native Rhode Islaander and a former Project Runway Season 7 contestant.

The show was followed by a live auction of some of garments, some more mingling, then the silent auction winners were announced.

The last attempt to write the Literature of Oxford essay --someone wanted to keep me company

Sitting in Newport traffic by the pier and late to the volunteer meeting time...

Ochre Court

The runway!

Gift bags for VIP guests by Swarovski 

Many local retailers donated prizes to Au Courant, including  J. McLaughlin, Forty 1  Degrees North,  The Charles Hotel, Hotel Viking, Ocean Cliff I &II, Karol Richardson and Jessica Ricci Jewelry

YKR Designs by Yvette K. Reyes

Favorite clutch

Absolutely stunning

Callot handbag in Tegu Lizard Skin by Calvet Paris featured on the runway

Au Courant program

Sponsors

Child and Family, located in Newport, builds and fortifies families and communities. According to Child and Family's website, the organization "is the largest and most comprehensive social service power in Newport County, and one of the largest in the State of Rhode Island. It is a center for community involvement--a place where people come together to give help, receive help, and to support the work of others."

Child and Family is always looking for volunteers to help out at the center and has internships available for undergraduate and graduate students.

To learn more about Child and Family, please click here.