WASHINGTON (April 19, 2012)—Designer Alex Garfield has taken his passion for fashion and his love of helping others to a new level. Garfield, with the support of his friend Tommy Hilfiger, has created Cure By Design—an American Cancer Society fashion show celebrating survivorship. And recently, designer Luis Machicao—who recently had a small part in the blockbuster The Hunger Games—has teamed up with Garfield for Cure By Design D.C.
“Cure By Design is all about the survivors,” Garfield said, “it’s all about the models’ courage, and the love and tears of joy shared in the room.”
**Designers Alex Garfield and Luis Machicao will be in Washington, D.C. on April 24-25 to kick off Cure By Design D.C.**
Cure By Design is a high-end fashion show with a red carpet, runway, and spectacular decorations. But what makes the event truly special is that the models—a diverse mix of women, men and children—are all cancer survivors. These survivors will be dressed in the latest fashions from top designers, with perfect hair and jewelry, strutting down the runway to raise hope, awareness and funds for the American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer. With fabulous auctions and a cocktail reception, this is an event where the fashion, design and retail communities join forces to benefit the American Cancer Society.
Cure By Design D.C. will be held June 22, 2012 at the Ronald Reagan Building.
Nearly 50 years ago, cancer was a death sentence. Now, there are 12 million U.S. cancer survivors, including the models in Cure By Design D.C. We are now saving 350 more lives every day from cancer than we did in 1991. And the American Cancer Society is endeavoring to save 1,000 more lives from cancer every single day. Events like Cure By Design D.C. help fund the Society’s cancer-fighting efforts.
Designer Alex Garfield: “Giving back has always been in style”
Designer Alex Garfield fell in love with fashion as a young man and to this day, continues to dress savvy, confident women around the country. Garfield along with partner Bernie Marks, founded the Garfield & Marks brand in 1993, which had grown into the GarfieldMarks (GM) Design Group, Ltd. Under his tutelage, GMDG created and produced Garfield & Marks, Womyn, and iAlex, where Garfield & Marks was awarded Nordstrom’s “Partners in Excellence” vendor award. His newest company formed in 2006 with longtime associate and current business partner, Jaime Nortman, called Peace of Cloth, is a modern bridge collection of suiting separates and casual elements that emphasize style and practicality.
Garfield’s appreciation for women and their well-being fueled his desire to merge fashion with philanthropy. He has been longtime supporter and board member of Dress for Success, an international not-for-profit organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire and a network of support. Garfield is also one of the original founders of the American Cancer Society’s Cure by Design.
Garfield is also a frequent guest lecturer at fashion schools such as F.I.T and the Parsons School of Design and mentors aspiring designers and future fashion leaders.
Designer Luis Machicao: A “Hunger” for fashion
Luis Machicao grew up in Peru with a love for fashion. He attended the Fashion Institute, and graduated with honors. Machicao also studied sociology, believing that fashion is a social manifestation of the human being. The lure of fashion drew him to Paris where he further developed his style. Machicao created designs for both women and men.
After returning to Peru, he worked as a costume designer for TV miniseries, soap operas and theater, while also dressing the Peruvian first lady, as well as various celebrities and socialites. While began showing his own collections in fashion shows, and discovered his true passion was found in one place—the runway. Machicao has presented his collections in Houston, Austin, San Francisco, Miami, Charlotte, New Orleans, Milan, Paris, Barcelona, Washington D.C. and now, showing his latest Fall-Winter 2013 collection at New York’s fashion week.
Besides his work in fashion, Machicao has made feature film appearances including a recent non-speaking role in The Hunger Games.
For more information on Cure By Design D.C. or to purchase tickets to the event, please visit www.curebydesigndc.org.
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation’s largest nongovernmental investor in cancer research, contributing more than $3.4 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us any time, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.
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