Radar: Blige and Malandrino debut FFAWN
Last night in New York City, hip hop artist Mary J. Blige and renowned designer Catherine Malandrino debuted their FFAWN collection in their first ever runway presentation. The label and Mary J. Blige’s foundation, FFAWN, stands for The Foundation For the Advancement of Women Now. Malandrino felt a connection to Blige’s message for empowerment and felt that they could work together, using fashion and music, to inspire women. Many celebs made it out on the Tuesday evening to support the cause. Long time admirer of Blige, Estelle was there to applaud one of her mentors, “She’s my role model and like my big sister. She has always shown me so much love. I listened to her music growing up. It is almost surreal being here tonight,” she told WWD.
The collection is simple and the message is clear. With t-shirts emblazoned with powerful messages of empowerment: “I am love,” “I am power,” and “I am life.” Blige said, “This is what we should be because we’re women.”
Around 600 were in attendance and had to pay $1000 for their tickets. However, it all goes to a good cause. All proceeds go directly to FFAWN and to Mary J. Blige’s Center for Women in her hometown of Yonkers, NY. The money they raise will provide young women with the skills to be independent and self-sufficient.
Tagged in: charity, catherine malandrino, fashion show, ffawn, mary j. blige,
