Hey PLUM’s ! A few weeks ago I attended the a fundraising fashion how during New York fashion week held by the women of P.R.A.D.A [People’s Resource and Development Association] non-profit organization and Original Housewife Apparel. The 3rd Annual Shop Indie 4 A Cause Fashion and Trunk Show event was hosted by Vh1 Love & Hip Hop Yandy Smith and WBLS personality Madison Jaye.
Lending their support to the cause were Mob Wive stars Karen Gravano [who introduced her new hair line Tresses by Karen Gravano and autographed copies of her NY Times best seller Mob Daughter] and Ramona Rizzo showcased her skincare line Roxanne Rizzo.
The SOLD OUT of over 200 guests event coordinated by Storm PR Agency and produced by Poyed by Velvette during the height of NYFW was headlined by Jag & Co Jaguar and Company Clothier with featured indie designers Alreddi Jeans , Beware , Define Me Designs , Eccentric Kisses , Malanski , and RBR Styles LLC .
General admission ticket holders were invited to enjoy the fashion show and shop from vendors; Accentuating Bows, Danyell Bradley, Diamond Services, Everything Girls Love, Fancy by Lady Ashley, Journe Designs, Miss Sassy Boutique, Queen of Bling, Squirt, Traci Lynn Fashion Jewelry, and VIP Divas LLC, while special invited guests and VIP ticket holders indulged in appetizers from Poyed by Velvette , cocktails sponsored by Ice Cream Cellars flavored wines, cupcake by Tre Chic Cupcakes, manicures courtesy of Nail Lounge sponsored by O.P.I., demos presented by Toy Closet NYC, complimentary massages with tunes by Harlem’s own DJ Get On Up and gift bags sponsored by Miss Jessie’s filled with goodies from Alreddi Jeans, Candi Colour Cosmetics, Miss Jessie’s Jelly Soft Curls, Acessories, O.P.I. , Protective MegaGrowth and Toy Closet NYC.
Here’s some of the excerpts of my exclusive interview with VH1 Karen Gravano, Ramona Rizzo and the women of P.R.A.D.A below:
Karen Gravano On Her Book Mob Daughter:
“My book has been out for a year and half now. It actually just went to paperback. It’s a New York times best seller and I’m extremely proud of that . So I’m here to sign autographs and get the people to read it.”
On Her New Hair Line Extension Debut:
“It’s called Tresses by KG. It’s actually a line that was inspired by my daughter. She is obsessed with hair extensions; hair anything.. When I started mob wives I started putting extensions in and Karina [daughter] was also interested in them and I found the company that I wanted to work and I thought it was something cool to do with my daughter.”
On The Upcoming Season Of Mobwives:
“Everything is still up in the air. You know there’s talk of new cast members coming on that have beef with me. I think I always the center of conflict which is unfortunate cause I’m really not that controversial person.”
Before we move on – Did I mention that Yandy Smith and Mama Jones buried old wounds and made -up . Here’s the pic
Ramona Rizzo interview.
On Her Sister’s Skin Care Line
” I have the main product which is called Bronze Glow and any woman can use it. Any woman of any color and nationality . If your dark [skin], it will give your skin a little pop. It takes away the ‘ashiness’ you don’t need to use cocoa butter. Rihanna uses it, and Vanessa Williams is one of our clients…. It covers cellulite, stretch marks, and it doesn’t have to be used as a tan; it could be used as a set or foundation and honestly its a miracle drug in a can. “
On Her Pumpkin Face Scrub:
” I don’t care what time of the month is I like to put stuff on my face. It smells good and this takes away all the impurities and black heads. We have basic stuff like concealers and lipsticks. My sister is a makeup artist; been in the industry for many years. She was the lead make up artist on the Ugly Betty show and now she is Lucy Lu’s personal make-up artist.
On Whether She’ll Be Returning To Mobwives Reality Show:
” I’m probably not going to be on the show because I like money and they don’t like really want to pay. With that being said you just have to find out and only time will tell. But in the mean time you can go to ramonarizzo.com and always see everything that I’m doing.”
Following the fashion show, I caught up with owners of P.R.A.D.A and the Housewife Collection Apparel.
” We are fashion. Our community is fashion. We breathe it, we think it, we wake up and this is what we do. So we decided to capitalize on that. Fashion week in New York raises billions of dollars and none of that trickles down into our community. So we decided to take Fashion week in New York and broadcast our organization and put it on a pedestal so that people can understand that Fashion is our kids. “
” Our kids are inspired by celebrities all over the world and the things they wear. So a way to grab their attention we decided to use fashion in addition to the focus of our kids needs; such as after school programs and community involvement.
About their P.R.A.D.A non-profit organization:
” We have a great program called anti-generation genocide program which focuses on positive conflict resolution for the youth…. We also have entrepreneurship program. It’s a seven week course for young entrepreneurs which teaches them how to start a business, financial literacy, and the importance of college.”
On The Inspiration Of Their Housewife Apparel:
” What inspired the line was one day watching Real Housewives Of Atlanta. I am housewife fan and I watch all the housewives shows but I didn’t see us. I didn’t see the wives that take care of their kids every single day and households; the ones that have husbands that they have to nurture and build with and still go to work. So, I was like you know what “why not start our own housewife campaign‘. We all have similar lives but we are original in our own identity “
On The Rumors Of A Possible Reality Show For The Trio:
” Umm You may or may not see us on the big screen. It’s in God hands.”
For more information about P.R.A.D.A head over to their site here and or email them that info@pradanp.org.