Jersey City Fashion Week (JCFW) is a program of the Desha Lang Jackson Give to Live Community Foundation (Give to Live) a project of United Charitable Fund a registered 501 (c) 3 charity. Give to Live raises funds and promotes awareness for charitable causes through fashion, entertainment and sports-related events. dljgivetolive.unitedcp.org

Desha Jackson, the Coordinator of the Week, is an attorney (www.dljlawgroup.com) and business owner as well (www.dljsec.com). She has a Jersey City location for her business and the non-profit.

JCFW’s purpose is to celebrate fashion and entertainment, highlight businesses in Jersey City and to create an opportunity to give back to the community by fund-raising for charity. We anticipate that this event will become an annual event where JCFW can support different charitable causes. In 2012 JCFW we donated $900 each to the following worthy Jersey City charities: Dress for Success Hudson County, Boys and Girls Clubs of Hudson County, York Street Project and Art House Production’s.

JCFW will spotlight some of the most imaginative and talented emerging designers all while giving industry insiders and fashion lovers a glimpse into Jersey City’s vibrant social and cultural scene. Throughout the week, there will be fashion shows, charity functions, cultural events, cocktail parties and networking receptions. Jersey City is an ideal host for fashion week given that New York Magazine, in a six-page feature, describes the resurgent city as the “New York of your dreams… [a diverse urban city]… with an optimal balance of commodious bistros…”

In 2013 JCFW will host its fashion week September 25-28. JCFW and Give to Live we will donate part of the proceeds to Rising Tide Capital , Uneeek Inspiration and The Hope Center for the Visual and Performing Arts. These groups help people in the community in special ways. Rising Tide helps people in the community create and maintain businesses while Uneeek Inspiration gives hope to children of parents who are incarcerated. The Hope Center gives children in Jersey City an opportunity to grow in the arts. JCFW September Events include:

• A Kick-Off Press Conference
• An Opening Night Welcome Reception, Networking and VIP Cocktail Party
• JCFW Night of Lights where participating shops and restaurants offer discounts to patrons, with the goal of showcasing fashion, dining and fun in the historic downtown Jersey City area.
• VIP, Children’s and Emerging Designer Fashion Events and Charity Reception
• JC Talent section
• Style Tips Event and much more

In January 2014 JCFW presents Football Fashion Week!! Give to Live will donate part of the proceeds to recreational/sporting programs that help children in the area and around the State including the Jersey City Youth Flag Football team and baseball recreation program for youth, NY/NJ Snowflake Youth Foundation( a part of the NY/NJ Superbowl Host Committee it provides funding to NY/NJ area after-school clubs and community centers) and the Girdiron Gang (Giving Athletes/Adolescences New Goals)( this a group of former NFL Player’s institute that provides football camps, training and encouragement to children in need). Due to the Super Bowl coming to New Jersey we thought that fashion should also be a part of it too!!! Athletes, Fashion and New Jersey Perfect Together! Stay tuned for more details!

In May or June 2014, JCFW present Creative Runway: Where the Students Create the Runway. This will be a fashion design contest for high school students. More details to come!