by Lisa Petty, DFWStyleDaily.com
A true passion project of Dallas-based Against The Grain Productions (ATG), Fashion For A Passion is among our city’s most anticipated events each fall. On Saturday, November 1, a sold-out crowd of 450-plus gathered at Three Three Three First Avenue for the sixth annual runway show and stylish fête, which featured a series of firsts and a record-setting goal.
Unmatched in its support of Dallas-based Asian American artists and designers, DFW Style Daily has been on the scene at Fashion For A Passion for the past several years. We’ve fallen for talented locals, including Lucy Dang, Jerry Matthews, and Khanh Nguyen of Nhã Khanh. Serving as a springboard for emerging talent, many Fashion For A Passion designers have launched booming brands following their appearances.
For 2014, the event built on past years’ momentum with several new features. Opening the show, ATG President and Co-Founder Tammy Nguyen Lee (pictured below) premiered a brand-new PSA video, which illustrated the evening’s mission to support orphanages in Asia, the ATG scholarship fund, and community outreach programs.
Returning emcee LeeAnne Locken then took the stage, joined by co-host Elizabeth Dinh of KTVT CBS 11. Filled with energy and enthusiasm, the pair revealed that each fashion show scene would be followed by a live auction of one-of-a-kind designer creations, straight off the runway.
With the crowd a-buzz, Vatana Watters of Watters Bridal opened Fashion For A Passion with the event’s first-ever bridal wear collection (pictured below). Also new this year, Brandy Pham of Brandy Pham Jewels introduced the audience to her covetable line. Additional presenting designers included Becky Hollands (pictured in final image, with models), Jerry Matthews of Nine Muses, Mai Pham, Hue Tran of Lizzi London, and Dora Yim of d.p.c. by Dora Yim. As one catwalk closed and another waited in the wings, bidding was fast and furious for over a dozen dream dresses.
Coupled with the action-packed live auction, guests also bid on silent auction items, snapped up raffle tickets, and indulged in pre-holiday shopping at on-site pop-up shops. The generous show of support netted an incredible $35,000. That total marks a new record for Fashion For A Passion, a milestone with special meaning for Tammy Nguyen Lee.
“I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the local community as well as the incredible time, talent, and effort from our team who helped make this our best event yet,” said Lee. “It was truly an unforgettable night whose tremendous impact will be felt by those we support through our causes.”
Fashion For A Passion is made possible entirely through volunteer support. DFW Style Daily was a proud media sponsor of Fashion For A Passion 2014. To learn more about donation and volunteer opportunities, visit AgainstTheGrainProductions.com. All photos, credit David Loi Studios.
