Nolcha: Fashion Business Services returns for its eighth season during New York Fashion Week to host ‘Nolcha Presents’; an exhibition of sixteen independent apparel and accessory designers from around the world.  Fashion cognoscenti will offer an up close and personal look at the inspiration behind the creations through trend presentations and style tours; which will take place on Thursday, February 11th from Noon to 6:00 pm at Bo Concept Studio, 144 West 18th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenue,) followed by a cocktail party from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Guests will partake in style tours led by Creative Director, Lynn Furge. The tours will provide a fast yet accurate perspective into each participating fashion designers collections and how they fit into the global fashion mix. Nolcha dedicates much of the year researching all aspects of the fashion business, from retail and production to talent and trends; by combining the facts with creativity, style tours offers the participant insight into which pieces to pair together, which staple items are a must for Fall 2010, and how to think outside of the box when adding new designers to an existing fashion roster.

“Fall 2010 will bring back the artisan with elements of light (iridescent fabrics, loose weaves), painterly colors and multiple layers of assorted textures,” shared Furge.

Part of the exhibition is the debut of ‘Nolcha Cares’; a 13 piece womenswear collection in collaboration with Care for Kenya. Five female independent fashion designers selected by Nolcha worked with Kenyan inspired themes to create sketches for the one-of-a-kind collection to be made by Kenyan women who select the textiles and complete the garments with microfinancing supplied by Care for Kenya (www.careforkenya.org).

A notable independent designer participating in this year’s event with a special cause is Haitian Designer Catherine Charlot, owner of Himane (www.himane.com), producers of innovative, one-of-a-kind clothing and accessories made from hand-picked, locally-sourced, recycled materials such as broken umbrellas.  As a graduate of Haiti’s Verona Alta Costura School of Fashion and Accessories Design, leveled in last week’s earthquake, Charlot will donate all of the proceeds of her collection to build another design school in Haiti. Additionally, she will lead a group of twelve women in a mission to bring needed supplies and food to underserved parts of her country.  Other exhibiting independent designers include: Alberto Parada, Andean Collection, Beata B, Bessi by Carlos Zuniga, Boutique Ethique, Carlotta Gherzi for Sado, Chak Chel, Dora Abodi, Elena Garcia, Jess Rizzuti New York, Joolz, Maleku Jewelry, Sarka Siskova and TaTa Reef.  Generous sponsor support provided by Bo Concept, Saaga Vodka and Marcel Hotel.


About Nolcha: Fashion Business Services

Nolcha: Fashion Business Services is a minority-owned, leading operator of educational, event outlets, and business-to-business services devoted to fashion entrepreneurs and related retail independent business owners. The Nolcha platform includes Nolcha.com, an online fashion portal delivering business educational resources, innovation and services; Nolcha Fashion Week: New York, currently held during New York fashion week providing key exposure to press, buyers, and industry figures for emerging and independent fashion designers from all over the world to break into the New York fashion market, in both apparel and accessories; events during London Fashion Week with key partners and Independent Retail Week in New York and Chicago, an initiative to drive business and increase revenue for small fashion retail brands. Visit www.nolcha.com, www.nolchafashionweek.com ,www.independentretailweek.com, www.twitter.com/missnolcha.

Media Contact:  

Cindy Carrasquilla
ccarrasquilla@middlebergcommunications.com 
646.645.9056