By Monique Ward
Special to The Truth
The doors were set to open at 5 PM, but a line had already formed outside by 4:50 PM on July 6 at the Glass City Pavilion in Toledo, Ohio. Guests eagerly secured their seats at the inaugural ‘Forty Fine & Fifty Fine’ Fashion Show, which mainly featured models who were proud to showcase themselves as being at or above the age of forty.
Photographer Adonis Lavale and videographer Vontez Page captured footage as the crowd filled in for the event.
The event began with a networking and shopping hour, which featured a variety of vendors. Da’Nelle Beauty, Youth Chef Erin Jai, GiftedHeart Serene Transportation, Dawn’s Defense and Kaptive Kreations had a variety of products to choose from. Yum Village, a Nigerian restaurant based in Cleveland came in town with their food truck, allowing guests to experience authentic West-African cuisine. Meanwhile, DJ Jay Roc provided sounds to set the mood for the evening.
The host for the night was WTOL11 television journalist TaTiana Cash, who opened the show with her co-hosts celebrity stylist, ReAnna Yvette and real estate agent, Valdy Perez. The show opener, veteran designer Even McKinney of EJM1 Sportswear, wowed the crowd with his fall collection. A customized tribute jacket adorned with images of The Artist (formally known as Prince) was a hit and crowd favorite.
Life coach Tazima Parrish spoke to the audience about women’s empowerment and had all the ladies in the audience chanting affirmations with her. Following her rousing speech was the Cincinnati-based brand, LeCuir, owned by upcoming fashion designer Greg Lawrence. His line featured custom leather pieces, including corsets, jerseys, jogging sets, shorts and skirts. Former Italian football player and real estate investor, Nick Eyde, modeled a custom LeCuir t-shirt and bucket hat.
After intermission, couture fashion designer Autumn Gineen, of House of Ginnie, followed with upscale pieces that complemented the refined ages of her models. Host Tatiana Cash kept the crowd engaged as fashion newcomer Darryl Stubblefield’s debut line ‘Darryl’ hit the runway with models in a plethora of matching sweatsuits and athleticwear, impressed the audience. Freemade by Corrin Stacey was next with her colorful hand-painted and repurposed designs complementing her models.
Just when all thought the show was over, show producer Monique Ward (owner of Pozativ ProMotions, LLC and QMIT Agency & Academy) announced that a special guest celebrity designer would be showcasing. Luxury gowns from celebrity designer Cheryl Kitchen of CDK Kreative Kreations graced the runway awing the already impressed audience.
The evening concluded with a thank you from the hosts, announcing the 50/50 raffle winner and winners of multiple gift certificates sponsored by Relax & Enjoy Therapy, LLC. Guests were encouraged to mingle afterward while the DJ played. Show producer, Ward closed the show by informing the audience that if anyone wanted to pursue modeling or join the cast of the next show that they could go to QMITagency.com or call 877.819.1141 for more details.
