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Photos courtesy of Macy’s.
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Fashion and Compassion
Macy’s shows off latest styles for a good cause
By Carlie Chiu
Special to AsianWeek
Lights. Camera. Action. Free flowing lyrics and majestic dance moves started off an enchanting event last Thursday at Macy’s Passport 2002 show — Fashion and Compassion — in San Francisco.
Fashionable clothes, superior dancers, enthralling stunts and a great cause combined to make the perfect show. Not only is Macy’s Passport a fashion show held every year, but it’s a significant fundraiser that raises millions of dollars for HIV/AIDS research, prevention, treatment and care. This year marked the 20-year anniversary for the large-scale event that began as a men’s fashion show held in the Macy’s employee cafeteria in 1980.
Nike started off, debuting their newest collection of athletic wear. Not your regular runway show; Nike models walked on a faux-track area, followed by a group of female dancers performing a lively routine. The apparel collection presented by Nike was accented by bright colors and a more fashionable edge to athletic wear. But what really caught the audience was the group of younger boys who came out and strutted their stuff, doing the c-walk and the Harlem shake.
Since many sponsors made the event possible, certain vendors collaborated together in particular segments. The United Parcel Service (UPS) workers walked out in their brown uniforms with their dollies, but instead of brown colored packages, they rolled out the models presenting collections from vendors such as Anne Klein, BCBG, and Max Studio.
 The other collections included “Rebel Elegance” by Hugo Boss, featuring a men’s line of pinstripe and solid suits along with some casual wear pieces. Tracy Reese epitomized “feminine chic” with her line, incorporating bright colors, unusual prints and intricate patterns.
The real highlight of the night was the Marc Ecko/Ecko Unlimited portion, when Miri Ben-Ari (pronounced Meery Ben-Ahree) — a hip-hop violinist — performed along with DJ Skills. Her performance delighted the crowd by demonstrating how the violin can surpass the realm of classical music and enter the world of hip hop. Ben-Ari, originally from Israel, came to the United States to study jazz at the Mannes School of Music in New York, and was discovered and signed by a record company. Her frizzy crimped orange hair in a high ponytail above her head accentuated her orange tinted frames along with the Ecko fit she was sporting, a red slit-sleeved tee with a wire fence print and short pointy boot stilettos.
The show concluded with a grand finale presented by MAC Cosmetics. Their Viva Glam Circus showcased captivating stunts that were performed by acrobats from the ceiling.
Overall, Fashion and Compassion was a great show well worth the time and efforts spent to make it all happen.
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