Success is in the Details

Part I. Why Fashion?

The Fashion Show was never supposed to be our biggest event. In fact, it was an activity we put together to discuss our rich history and the fashion that followed. What we found was an art form that celebrated each individual and a performance presentation that required a lot of internal development in order to successfully carry it out. 

At the Fashion Show, our young artists basked in their moment of glory. They would stride past and receive a wave of love and support, all while showcasing their personalized style, walk, and interpretations of the theme. The cheers and applause from their friends and family are a testament to the invaluable role they play in our artists' lives. 

But, getting to this point takes a lot of work. In big group performances, there are places to hide or there may only be a limited amount of spotlight opportunities. In a fashion show, a lot of times, you are just walking 24 feet, which can feel like a forever and alone experience. To do this, our artists have to first conquer fear and grapple with self-doubt. They have to embrace the training and the development that celebrates their worthiness. You can actually see the confidence grow from our year one artists, who are experiencing the Fashion Show for the first time. 

We found that it takes about a year of development, culture building, and performance instruction to put on a Fashion Show, like the one TheGifted Arts produces. It takes time for our young people to shave away the pressures, negativity, and judgment of the world around them.  Our plays, dance showcases, and step performances allow us to tell stories to the audience. It allows us to deliver a message worth hearing. The Fashion Show enables our artists to see how far they have come on their journey. A journey toward Self-Worth, Confidence, and Drive.

So, what are we saying, you ask? We didn't choose the Fashion Show, the Fashion Show chose us.