As our veterans start returning from Iraq, a unique situation is unfolding as a historical number of female soldiers re-acclimate themselves as never before into a new life, here at home in America.
Last September, during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week 2010 Spring Collection, a partnership between DKNYC and HSN.com was showcased that was designed to bring attention to the difficulty women soldiers have returning to normal life after war. The partnership with Fatigues to Fabulous is a national campaign to support women who are currently serving or have served in our nation’s military. The program is working with the fashion industry to help women transition their wardrobes from uniforms to fashionable, fun outfits, and raise awareness of the challenges female soldiers face upon returning from military service.
F2F focuses on raising public awareness about issues of education, jobs, health care, family support, and finance to help assist mothers, wives, sisters, aunts and nieces who have proudly served in the U.S. military and abroad make the transition back to daily life.
DKNYC Designs Watch to Benefit Fatigues to Fabulous
To help raise funds for Fatigues to Fabulous, DKNYC designed a trendy and beautiful wrist watch as a symbol of honor and appreciation. It is available only at HSN and hsn.com. For each watch sold, a donation will be made to the Society for Women’s Health Research and Give an Hour to benefit F2F. Both organizations are working to help women veterans with the challenges they face transitioning home.
The event at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week featured a fashion show with female veterans who shared their heart-breaking stories with dignity and pride as they sported the latest in fashion from several of America’s top designers and retailers. Designers included Calvin Klein, Charlotte Ronson, Bill Blass, Carmen Marc Valvo, Donna Karen, and the Kardashian Kollection for Sears. Makeup was provided by Neutrogena Cosmetics and celebrity makeup artist Amy Oresman.
The F2F Veteran Ambassadors are Soldiers:
Genevieve Chase, an Army veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom VII, and currently the founding director of American Women Veterans. Chase was dressed by HSN.
Jennifer Crane, an veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, was dressed by Charlotte Ronson.
Christina Dibble, an veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran, and is currently in charge of military spouse and veteran hiring at Sears. Dibble was dressed by Kardashian Kollection for Sears.
Ann Marie Faison, who served in Desert Shield and Desert Storm in Kuwait and was an Operator Iraqi Freedom, is currently completing her BS in Social Work at Methodist University Class of 2012 while working full time at Fort Bragg. She was dressed by Carmen Marc Valvo.
Sarah Franson, a Navy veteran of the Fighter Squadron 102 (the “Diamondbacks”), and currently an associate working at Booz Allen Hamilton. Franson was dressed by Bill Blass.
Serena Hayden, an Army veteran deployed to Iraq with the 3rd Brigade combat team and was awarded the Bronze Star for her service, and is currently working as the Director of Strategic Initiatives for I Support Vets. Hayden was dressed by Calvin Klein.
Meredith Smith, a Marine veteran deployed with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron-169 (the “Vipers”) to Helmand Province Afghanistan, and currently completing a General Surgery residency program. Smith was dressed by Donna Karen.
Additional support for the Fatigues to Fabulous campaign has been provided by American Airlines, Cisco, East Six, Greenroom Salon, Marriott St. Petersburg-Clearwater, and Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne.
Soloni Behl is a graduate of Academy of Art University earning a degree in Fashion Journalism and Styling. She has worked as an interior designer and in the fashion and retail industry for more than five years. She currently serves as a Public Relations Specialist and Event Coverage Coordinator for Fashionably Austin.
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