Fashion for a Cure combines trends with charity

Featuring exclusive fashion in the name of a good cause, Roxana Muzzammel, a candidate for the Washington D.C. chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s “Woman of the Year” will be hosting a fashion show called Fashion for a Cure at the Huxley Hotel on Sun., April 28 to raise money for her campaign.

“Fashion is important because the clothing we wear can transform our mood,” said Samiha Sobhan, a member of the LLS committee working on Fashion for a Cure. “Our goal was to showcase designers whose collections elicit the feeling of hope that is demonstrated by LLS.”

The fashion show will feature Spanish fashion brand Hoss Intropia, in addition to showcases from Christopher Schafer Clothiers and Haute Heritage. Tickets to the show cost $60 and the money will go to local D.C. children who are blood cancer survivors. The event will also feature music, a silent auction and a raffle. Muzzammel says this event is close to her heart after her father, Dr. Al Mohiuddin Muzzammel, passed away from leukemia two years ago.

“This marks the second year of my father’s passing in March 2011,” said Roxana Muzzammel in a press release about the event. “He had a passion for helping others. In loving memory I accepted the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s nomination for Woman of the Year.”

The event will be hosted by Paul Wharton who appeared on the Real Housewives of DC. There will also be a guest appearance from Mrs. West End DC, Veronica Jeon-Marshall. The international clothing brand Hoss Intropia will be presenting some of their latest looks, while Haute Heritage’s womenswear and Christopher Schafer Clothier’s menswear will also be shown at the event. Sobhan says that there will be plenty of entertainment including food, music and a silent auction, all benefitting the LLS.

“Hoss Intropia’s philosophy rests on the concept of “intropia,” a term which comes from a combination of the words introspection and utopia,” Shoban said.  “Hoss Intropia is perfect as the main fashion brand for the show because it supports the LLS dream that one day there will be a cure for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.”

One of the other designers, Christopher Schafer, located in Baltimore, Md., is also nominated as “Man of the Year” in the Baltimore chapter of the LLS. He says that being involved in the organization in different cities is a “great opportunity.” Schafer says he chose to get involved with LLS and Fashion for a Cure after his wife’s grandmother’s Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma returned seven years ago after being in remission.

“In my time of knowing her I have seen her undergo chemotherapy, hospital stays, rehab, pneumonia, and remission again,” Schafer said. “She now has blood work every 8 weeks and check ups every 4 months. She is one tough woman.”

Fashion for a Cure also will be debuting some exclusive looks from the designers. Shoban says that Hoss Intropia is just breaking into the U.S. market and Fashion for a Cure will give the audience an exclusive look at the brand. Christopher Shafer Clothier will also be debuting two new handmade ties, that feature the LLS’s logo.

“We’re going to be showing custom suits, custom shirts, trousers, homemade ties and bow ties,” Shafer said. “This will also be the first showing for our custom LLS tie, which we’re going to offer in two sizes. We only have the prototypes, but I think we’re going to put them on two models and have them walk,” he said.

As a candidate for LLS’s Woman of the Year, Muzzammel is competing with other women in the D.C. area to raise the most money for LLS. Her goal is $50,000, an attainable number, especially since Fashion for a Cure will “likely be sold out,” said Shoban.  Every dollar that Muzzammel raises is considered a vote.

Muzzammel will also be hosting a “Raise for the Cure” fundraising dinner on May 5. There will also be events in both the D.C. and Maryland area to raise money for the LLS, including Shafer’s Man of the Year block party event in Baltimore. The point of these fun events, says Shoban, is to make people aware and to raise money for a good cause.

“Fashion for a Cure,” is a unique opportunity to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s lifesaving blood cancer research,” Shoban said. “Funds raised will go to blood cancer research in honor of local children who are blood cancer survivors. Fashion for a Cure wants to help this demographic and support their needs.”