May 20, 2010 – New York City
Designer Rafe Totengco joined the fashion and floral community in the 9th Annual Tulips & Pansies: Headress the Affair at Gotham Hall. Each year the event pairs fashion designers with NYC’s finest floral designers such as Preston Bailey, L’Olivier, Ovando and Golf Srithmarong. The concept is to create a high-fashion runway show of elaborate floral headdresses made entirely from fresh cut flowers and other living plants.
The event raises funds for Village Care of New York, a non-profit organization providing vital health care programs to people living with HIV/AIDS. The show was hosted by James Aguiar and chaired by Ariana N. Rockefeller, writer and philanthropist and Kelly Cutrone, Founder of People’s Revolution. The show was judged by John Bartlett, Kelly Killoren Bensimon, Freddie Leiba, Fern Mallis and Ashleigh Verrier.
This year, Rafe was paired with Chuck Dorr of GardenDig from Brooklyn. For their runway look, Rafe and Chuck utilized some of the plastic crochet pieces from Rafe’s Craftwork collection and fresh tropical orchids and ferns to do a Carmen Miranda-esque inspired outfit while showcasing Rafe bags as well.
"Drawing inspiration from the hardworking women in Manila that hand crochet Rafe's new globally conscious handbags, Dig will showcase the color and beauty of the tropics and bring the wonder and charm of the Philippines to the boroughs of New York."
The event benefits Village Care’s comprehensive array of HIV/AIDS services, which includes two day treatment programs, community case management, home care, Red Hook Community Center, treatment adherence, Village Health Center and The Momentum Project, a food and nutrition program, along with the Rivington House, a modern, state-of-the-art residential care facility that offers clinical services and skilled nursing for persons living with HIV/AIDS in an encouraging and supportive environment.
Village Care is a community-based, not-for-profit long-term organization serving seniors, persons living with HIV/AIDS and individuals in need of medical and rehabilitation services.
