By Bill Thompson
Sunday, June 19, 2011

Link to original article: 
http://www.charlestonscene.com/news/2011/jun/19/event-melds-film-fashion-for-children-based/

Costuming and motion pictures have one of the longest and most fruitful partnerships in the history of modern art, both fired by the imagination, fantasy and the ways we live.

The happy idea of joining them for charitable purposes, entertainingly, is the design of the inaugural Film Meets Fashion event Thursday at Memminger Auditorium.

Produced by Robin Lee of the local firm Robin Lee Models, Arlene Lagos of DAME Media and Kristen Armstrong of The Charlestonista, Film Meets Fashion melds the creative flair of area independent filmmakers with that of a group of Charleston fashion designers, all benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation of South Carolina.

With the goal of deploying art, fashion, film and music in support of local charities, Lee established the Angel Posse in memory of her mother, Wanda Smith.

"My mother was always very involved in charities in Indiana, helping families in need," says Lee. "People had always referred to her as an angel. When she passed away a year and a half ago, it was a clear decision for me to start the Angel Posse in her memory.

"I'm always coordinating fashion shows, was a designer myself for 10 years and have been a part of many Charleston Fashion Weeks. So it was a no-brainer. With Film Meets Fashion, from the beginning the concept was that it was going to be a children-based charity event. And we will have another charity event this fall, Fashion 4 Paws, to benefit the Charleston Animal Society."

Films to be screened include Lagos' recently completed "Butterflies Wake," dealing with an underground society of women who quietly "right the wrongs of society ... when the justice system has failed;" Brad Jayne's "Song of Pumpkin Brown" (2008), a fictional story inspired by the history of the Jenkins Orphanage Band that mines the rich ore of Lowcountry jazz; and Owen Hamilton's "Whirlwind," a featured entry of the recent Charleston International Film Festival.

Also to be shown are two local films submitted to the FMF movie competition, whose titles have yet to be announced.

If You Go

What: Film Meets Fashion

When: 6-10 p.m. Thursday

Where: Memminger Auditorium, 56 Beaufain St.

Tickets: $35 general admission, $75 for VIP seating

More info:filmmeetsfashion.eventbrite.com

The runway will be adorned with designs by Billy Reid, Clewis Reid, Suite 33 and 3Thimbles by Hannalei Taylor, accompanied by a special fashion show from Poe Studio that sports local Make-A-Wish Foundation children striding the runway. Employed as backdrop for the runway shows will be fashion videos shot specifically for the event by Jan Marvin.

Also to be presented is a silent auction, among whose prizes include the recently donated Andy Warhol screen print, "Howdy Doody."

"Robin and I worked together on the Trevor Erickson fundraiser at the Music Farm last December, and had been running in the same circles," says Lagos, whose DAME Media company offers movie production services, coaching and casting.

"She had been wanting to put together an acting division for her company. So I came aboard and now also work for her as a scout and agent for Robin Lee Talent," says Lagos.

Film Meets Fashion opens at 6 p.m. with a free cocktail hour, during which attendees can peruse the auction items while sampling the winners of the Film Meets Fashion cocktail challenge competition and donated dessert dishes.

Serving as overlord of the cocktail hour is mixologist John Aquino, co-founder of the Charleston chapter of the United States Bartenders Guild.

The main program follows, alternating between fashion shows and screenings. An intermission will showcase the talents of local stand-up comic Philip Cohen, winner of the seventh annual Charleston Comedy Festival in January.

An after-party is slated at Leaf restaurant (15 Beaufain St.), coordinated by Charleston After Dark.

Among the hosts of the event are filmmaker Michael Givens ("Angel Camouflaged") "Army Wives" costumers and filmmakers Karen and Keva Keyes ("Letters From Home"), Miss South Carolina Valarie Kobrovsky, Charleston Magazine Style Director Ayoka Lucas and Marcus Amaker, editor of The Post and Courier's Charleston Scene.

For more, email filmmeetsfashion@gmail.com or visit www.filmmeetsfashion.com.