Community Week of April 22 - 28, 2011 | B SECTION Natl/Norcal

Fashioning earth-friendly advocacy FASHIONING from A1 strength” of their focus population. “The fashion show pays homage to the four elements: earth, water, air, and fire,” FAJ executive director Lillian Galedo explained the FAJ annual awards and benefit set this year 6 -10 p.m., Saturday,April 30 at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center. “Many traditions revere these four elements of the natural world and in the spirit of eco-justice and sustainability, the designers are paying tribute to the four elements in the designs they will show.” Eco2 is less about trends than conscience. The participants are experienced community organizers. “Our designers Julia Rhee, Jenny Ton, Melissa Uy, Rozel Cruz and Robin David are representative of today’s environmentally conscious designers with an innovative vision,” said Galedo. “Roseli Ilano will be directing the fashion show as well as contributing a youth design. Christine Cordero, board member of FAJ’s FACES program, will emcee.” Ilano owns and designs for SUBTEXTSTYLE, an online and mobile retailer specializing in vintage, handmade, and sustainably- crafted clothing and accessories. She curates the green fashion blog subtextstyle.com. The national community engagement coordinator for Independent Television Service earned her grass-roots organizing stripes helping build FAJ’s youth coordinating component AYPAL. “This is the perfect storm - a gathering of fashionistas, social justice advocates, and environmentalists who have come together to support the work of Filipino Advocates for Justice,” said Ilano. “Each look that will walk down the runway is a powerful statement in style, creativity, and one that promotes earth-friendly practices. As designers we want to prove that you can look good and feel good.” See FASHIONING, B2

Designer Melissa Uy (with pendant) interprets her vision of the earth, water, air, and fire, the four elements of the natural world revered by many traditions. Megan Solla models.