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Blind Fashion Show in Alexandria Kicks Off New IMperfeKtlymade Foundation

Beautiful Black lady on the runway at a local blind fashion show benefiting the Imperfektlymade Foundadtion.
IMperfeKtlymade Founder Angela Harris on the runway at the inaugural blind fashion show called, A Dose of Fashion.

ALEXANDRIA, VA – Approximately 150 guests, including the Mayor of Alexandria and other city notables, enjoyed the inaugural blind fashion show on October 29 at The Garden in Alexandria hosted by the IMperfeKtlymade Foundation, a new Alexandria-based nonprofit inspiring members of the visually impaired community to step out of their comfort zones and participate in activities not generally geared to the blind community.

“I wanted to show that visual impairments would not limit our ability to shine on the runway,” said Angela Harris, the foundation’s founder who shared the runway with other blind and low vision models.

Young pre-teen blind black girl in runway in blind fashion show.
Naevia Thompson, the youngest model of “A Dose of Fashion” blind fashion show in Alexandria, exudes strength showing off Say Less Apparel.

Everyone confidently strutted their stuff, modeling clothes by local designers, including Say Less Apparel, I Lyn Fashion Lounge, and Lor’Faye Boutique.

“I was honored to sponsor!” exclaimed Councilwoman Alyia Gaskins on her social media. “All [the] models proudly identify as blind or low vision…this remarkable show is a celebration of creativity, diversity, and inclusivity and was so much fun!”

Other sponsors included National Federation for the Blind, Beyond the Classroom, Quee’s Tees, Firefighters and Friends, Hands of Christ Ministries, and Wasinger & Company Properties.

Crowd clapping at the Imperfecktlymade blind fashion show in Alexandria, Virginia.
Col. Alexis Stackhouse, Councilwoman Alyia Gaskins, and NAACP President Darrilyn Franklin join in the enthusiasm of the audience at the Imperfecktlymade blind fashion show.

Harris and her team of volunteers is excitedly looking forward to next year’s event, and knows from participants and guests what a difference the IMperfeKtlymade Foundation can make.

“The turnout exceeded my expectations,” Harris said. And more than that, the “impact on our community and the reactions of the participants and guests inspires us to continue the mission to embrace similar opportunities and not let sight conditions hold people back.”

If you would like to contribute the organization by volunteering, donating, and attending future events, please visit their website and follow them on social media for more details.

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Mary Wadland

Mary Wadland is the Publisher and Editor in Chief of The Zebra Press, founded by her in 2010. Originally from Delray Beach, Florida, Mary is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Hollins College in Roanoke, VA and has lived and worked in the Alexandria publishing community since 1987.

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