The Second Annual First Ladies Fashion 4 Development Luncheon
On Tuesday of this week, I attended a luncheon at The Pierre hotel in New York City. It was a gathering of top fashion designers, as well as first ladies from more than eighteen countries, celebrating the second annual First Ladies Fashion 4 Development Luncheon. (F4D) F4D is a global awareness campaign that unites diplomacy, media, business, and the creative industries in full support of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. Their mission is to harness the power of the fashion and beauty industries to help build sustainable communities worldwide, using core principles to educate, empower, enhance, and enrich the lives of all those involved. I applaud F4D for all that they’ve accomplished and for what they have planned for the future.
1 Posing with Naila Chowdury of F4D, Evie Evangelo - Co-Founder and Global Chair of F4D, and Tanzila daughter of Naila Chowdury
2 The Cotillion Ballroom at the Pierre Hotel was quite crowded for the event.
3 In addition to being the Co-Founder and Global Chair of F4D, Evie Evangelou is a spokesperson, entrepreneur, philanthropist, international relations expert, and multimedia journalist.
4 Tabitha Simmons - designer, Peggy Siegel - publicist, and Tory Burch - designer
5 Mrs. Toyin Saraki - Former First Lady of Nigeria and Founder of The Wellbing Foundation Africa, Madam Yoo (Ban) Soon-taek - wife of Ban Ki-moon Secretary General of the United Nations, and Evie Evangelou
6 HRH The Otunba Adekunie Ojora - mother of H.E. Toyin Saraki, Former First Lady of Nigeria
7 HRH The Erelu Ojuolape Ojora - father of H.E. Toyin Saraki, Former First Lady of Nigeria
8 Madame Oktiniwati Ulfadariah Hatta Rajasa, Chairperson and Founder of Cita Tenun Indonesia, was honored with the Women’s Champion Award for her generous work empowering the community as well as preserving Indonesian tradition.
9 Madame Oktiniwati Ulfadariah Hatta Rajasa presented me with 'Tenun', a wonderful book about the rich weaving heritage of Indonesia and with a beautifully woven shawl!
10 F4D was originally founded in 1996 by super model humanitarian, Bibi Russell, with the support of UNESCO, creating a model that helped reshape the culture in her native Bangladesh.
11 Now employing more than 150,000 local residents through fashion, Ms. Russell is replicating this successful model in other countries.
12 In January 2011, Evie Evangelou launched the F4D media platform on South South News, a digital media affiliate of the United Nations.
13 Since 2011, this has expanded into a global platform which supports Every Woman Every Child in direct cooperation with the Office of the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, encompassing various vehicles of development such as: First Ladies & F4D and World F4D.
14 F4D is a global awareness campaign that unites diplomacy, business, media, and creative industries to help achieve the UN's Millennium Development goals.
15 Indonesian fabric in high fashion - lovely!
16 A demonstration of Indonesian weaving techniques
17 An actual weaving loom was on display.
18 We were treated to a wonderful flower arranging demo from Julia Kim, a floral designer from Korea. She is Co-Founder of Asia Floral Design Union, in addition to many other impressive titles in the floral trade.
19 Julia Kim operates three boutiques in Korea and is regularly invited to participate in numerous worldwide symposiums.
20 This demonstration clearly displayed her extraordinary talents and her passion for floral art.
21 The tables for lunch were set with a colorful first course.
22 The Indonesian contingent
23 Tommy Hilfiger, Tabitha Simmons, and Tory Burch
24 Franca Sozzani - Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Italia and Goodwill Ambassador of F4D - was honored for her humanitarian efforts for F4D.
25 Evangelou stated that, "Since last September, F4D has set up sustainable business partnerships with the fashion industry in over 12 countries, with a concentrated focus on Africa. With the integral support of many individuals, organizations and brands here today, we have been able to empower impoverished nations through the power of the fashion industry."
26 United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s wife, Ban Soon-taek, told the crowd, “I have to admit I was a little bit nervous about what to wear today. I wanted to ask my husband, but he’s so busy being Secretary General that he doesn’t pay much attention to my clothes.”
27 Fashion designer and philanthropist, Tommy Hilfiger, has also worked to support African communities - earlier this year, he launched his Promise Collection, the proceeds of which go to developing sustainable communities in Africa.
28 The Promise Collection is a suite of clothing inspired by designs from various African countries and made from textiles and materials procured from Africa. All proceeds from the collection will go to support Millennium Villages in Ruhiira, Uganda.
Martha Pins
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Appreciate concentrated effort of F4D in Africa.
Posted by: ann | September 27th, 2012 at 2:36 am
I too applaud the mission of the Fashion 4 Development Martha, especially what they are doing in Africa. Thanks for blogging about this important program and Martha, you looked very smart and chic in your suit!
Posted by: Cindy F | September 27th, 2012 at 8:12 am
Martha, great cause and you look wonderful! Thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | September 27th, 2012 at 8:42 am
the fabric shown in slide #13 is so beautiful! Is there a possibility of purchasing yardage? Thank you.
Posted by: Mike Bourke | September 27th, 2012 at 8:43 am
Hi Martha, Before commenting about this glorious fashion blog today, I want to wish your beautiful daughter, Alexis a very Happy Birthday today! Hope you get to see her, Jude, and Truman and that she has a delightful day! Thank you for sharing this wonderful luncheon you attended at the Pierre hotel in NYC! All of the top fashion designers and the first ladies from more than 18 countries around the world certainly had a marvelous time at The Second Annual First Ladies Fashion 4 Development Luncheon! Your photos and the website are once again marvelous! It's fascinating to see so many beautiful people and fashions! You looked so happy and lovely in photos # 1,9&22! How fun to see Tommy Hilfiger, too, what a great designer he is! Where do you get to go next?! Can't wait to see more of these delightful places you share with us! Hope you have another great day! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | September 27th, 2012 at 9:57 am
I visited F4D's website which provided a lot of information about the organization. Thanks for the inside look.
Posted by: Andrea | September 27th, 2012 at 11:32 am
What a wonderful opportunity for disenfranchised people to become economically independent - kudos to the founder and to all the partners and supporters. I think it is an all-around good organization/campaign and I don’t believe something that just anyone would think of starting. Or maybe the words used in their mission statement were ‘re-igniting The Fashion 4 Development Flame’. Either way, it has garnered a lot of interest since just last year. Not only did it make me realize how important and desirable fashion and beauty really is but that people globally will now have an opportunity to fulfill their dreams. The United Nations Millennium Development Goals are definitely worth supporting. I thought everyone was dressed stunningly, and especially the two women in picture #6, but everyone seems to have made a statement with their attire. I was also impressed with Evie Evangelo and all that she does. Thanks for a nice eye-opener and I thought watching “Fried Green Tomatoes” on TV this morning couldn’t be topped. Trish
Posted by: Trish | September 27th, 2012 at 12:22 pm
Lady Martha.instinctively (and for many reasons).after your latest interview at Forbes TV,I was actratted by your sensitive sociability for the" non-profit way of life". Your support-sharing to the F4D mission, undoubtely,honour that social committement..
My compliments,also for your look,charming and fascinating.Walter Di Meo.
Posted by: Walter Di Meo | September 27th, 2012 at 6:52 pm
The fabrics! All of that prettiness, texture, and color in one place. I am addicted to fabric!
Posted by: nantucket Daffodil | September 28th, 2012 at 5:36 pm
Dear Martha, I'm glad to meet you on the Second Annual First Ladies Fashion For Development Luncheon , and thank you for showing my picture with you on your website # 8 - 9, hopefully this introduction can send us work together to help improve and develop women weaving our local artisan. Warm regards,
Okke Rajasa, Jakarta, Indonesia.
Posted by: Oktiniwati Ulfadariah Hatta Rajasa | September 29th, 2012 at 12:49 pm
I made your macaroni & cheese recipe contained in your Cooking School book and want to tell you it is the most incredible M&C I have ever made (and I've made a few over the years). The first time I made it according to your instructions for company and everyone thought it was amazing. The second time I made it I added bacon, since what doesn't taste good with bacon. Thanx so much. I'll look forward to your new show on PBS.
Posted by: Jeri Hill | October 1st, 2012 at 8:28 am
This is such a wonderful post. I totally enjoyed the luncheon, but I was really bumped that I did not have a chance to personally meet you that day. I would just love to update your readers that the dress that the dress Evie is wearing on picture #3 and the model on #15 are by an Indonesian designer named Sebastian Gunawan. He worked together alongside with Madame Oktiniwati Hatta Rajasa and Cita Tenun Indonesia. Thank you.
Posted by: Bianca Lie | October 1st, 2012 at 12:31 pm
We have supported the Fashion For Development Initiative since it's inception as well as the UN MDGs especially those that empower women to become fashion entrepreneurs and lift themselves and their children out of poverty. We can think of no better role model for these women than you Martha. From a modest catering venue near our HQ here in Lower Fairfield County, CT to the now iconic offices of Martha Stewart Omnimedia we have seen you grow into a smart, savvy business woman who is also passionately committed to "Giving Back" and mentoring women who aspire to change the world - one woman at a time....
Posted by: John Brantley Hooks ,IV of The WWRG Social Media Networks | October 2nd, 2012 at 2:10 pm
Martha, this is such a great cause, but I have never heard of it until today. I love fashion and am not afraid to mix different types of fabrics, textures, colors, etc. to get a look that makes me feel good. I think that women all over the world deserve to wear whatever they choose and the fact that this is an international effort and that it also includes such poverty stricken places as Africa makes it an even greater movement. I love the picture - it captured a beautiful moment at an event that you will never forget. Thank you so much for sharing this post.
Posted by: Susan Pratt | October 19th, 2012 at 3:19 pm
Lovely post!
Posted by: Karen | October 20th, 2012 at 3:03 pm