Garments of Praise - A Special Virtual World Fashion Event for a Kenyan Orphanage

Event Date and Information:
*Date: June 01, 2008
*Time: 12PM SLT
*Host: Abbie Reinard
*DJ: Giela Delpaso
*Location: Sana Mall Sim (customized amphitheater) still being built
*Auction begins: 1PM (more info on auction at bottom of note)
Two women met during a recent Second Life beauty pageant that celebrated African heritage in the metaverse. Neither model made it beyond the pageant's second round but their friendship sparked conversation about beauty, fashion and charity. Abbie Reinard (model, writer and activist) and Keely LeFavre (supermodel, blogger and businesswoman) are pleased to send you the following announcement:
There is a prophecy in the Old Testament that reads "to give to them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness". It is this bit of the Bible that inspired Abbie Reinard to pursue a SecondLife career in fashion. "I've been working my hiney off in the SecondLife fashion world raising awareness and funds for a tiny AIDS orphanage in western Kenya," she says of her several months of effort. "One of my hopes has been to find someone to host a fabulous event showcasing SecondLife beauty and fashion creativity. Keely LeFavre and Sana Models are being wonderful and bringing this dream to life!"
The charity fashion show will take place on June 1st around mid-afternoon SLT at the lovely Sana Mall. The show will consist of 6 of the hottest SL models showing creations from 4 amazing SL Designers. Immediately after the show, an auction will take place for one outfit from each designer. All donations and proceeds will go directly to the Maseno Project.
The show promises to be something truly special and has attracted designers who rank among the most elite in Second Life's fabulously thriving digital fashion industry: Callie Cline (Callifornia), Giana Paine (GiGi couture) Sissy Pessoa (BAIASTICE) and Bianca Foulon (biancaF.). Each designer is showcasing at least 1 outfit that will be exclusively available for auction after the show.
"I love this show that Keely and Abbie are arranging. It's a wonderful opportunity to use my designs to make a real difference for these children." Garments of praise? Indeed yes! Abbie's excitment is evident, "This event will make such a huge difference in the lives of over 30 children who lost their parents to disease. Keely and I are amazed by the generosity of these stunning designers."
The Maseno Project is an intimate charity whereby people's donations make significant impact on particular lives. "Large charities are incredible and can accomplish so many amazing things! But we still need to pursue more intimate connections with personal relationship. Many small charities would simply dissappear without individuals who come alongside them," says Abbie. Due to the AIDS pandemic, a small village 20 miles west of Maseno has a large number of orphans. Most of these orphans have no means of support from either relatives or the local community. Among the necessities are: proper education, food, basic health care. This is a self-funded integrated community based project to establish education bursary plans for orphans, youth, the destitute and special cases such as the blind, deaf and the lame. And provide health care for the above groups. The centre has one ongoing activity early childhood education program which has 30 children, mainly orphans.
For more information about the Maseno Project visit Abbie's blog at http://masenoproject.blogspot.com or contact All Saints Parish, Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK), Diocese of Maseno North, P.O. Box 16 Luanda for info about the orphanage.For information about the upcoming show on June 1st including underwriting and advertising, please contact Keely LeFavre.Auction information:
*Bidding on each outfit will start at $200L and rise from there.
*All proceeds from the auction and donations kiosks will go directly to the maseno project Via Sana Models.
*Confirmation of monies received and sent will be sent to the designers and you can visit the Maseno Project Blog