NEW YORK, Sep 20, 2001/ --- Twenty designers, with more joining the list every hour, will participate in a benefit fashion show this Friday evening at New York's Parsons School of Design. All proceeds will go directly to the United Firefighters Association Widows and Children's Fund.

Participants as of this afternoon include Christina Perrin, David Rodriguez, Laundry, Ruben Campos, Sara James and Marithe Francois Girbaud. Many of these designers' shows were cancelled last week, and 90 percent are showing clothes, most never before seen, from their new spring lines. Each will present three ensembles.

The mastermind behind the event is Jason Hayes, a Manhattan makeup artist who describes himself as simply "a New Yorker who wasn't ready to accept that no more volunteers were needed." So last Sunday at 2am he decided to take action and do his part for the relief effort. Only three days later Hayes has successfully put together this incredible event.

Hayes, co-owner of The Makeup Shop, has rallied not only designers, but volunteers from every facet of the fashion business. MAC is donating their products and makeup team; Rusk is handling hair; Visions, Wilhelmina and Click have offered their models. Zoozoom, an online fashion mag, has halted all other projects to work on PR for the event. Quinto + Company is also providing full PR support, and the Public Relations Society of America is lending its New York forces. Mademoiselle magazine is devoting what Hayes describes as "amazing staff support" to make this show a success.

Tickets are $150 each and will go on sale Friday at 3:30pm at Parsons. Only checks and credit will be accepted; checks should be made out directly to the UFA.

Hayes says that with a venue that can accommodate 490 seated and 130 standing, the event stands to raise more than $90,000. He adds that all participants are prepared to keep presenting if the 6:30 show sells out. "We'll clear out the room, straighten the chairs and keep going. If we have to do five shows, we're ready to run with it."

Hayes and his volunteer corps are also putting together a reception for later in the evening. The post-show celebration will take place at a restaurant near Parsons that has yet to be determined.

DETAILS:

Friday September 21, 2001
6:30pm
Parsons School of Design
560 Seventh Avenue (at 40th Street), Second Floor
New York, NY
212.229.8959

To make a direct donation to the UFA, you can mail checks to:

United Firefighters Association Widows and Children
204 East 23rd Street
New York, NY 10010
Fund Type: 501-C
Contact: Sheila Petit
212.683.4832