High fashion, edge-of-seat entertainment, beautiful atmosphere, even more beautiful people, great times…that is how many would describe the much anticipated 3rd Annual Fashion Awards MD, which took place this past Saturday at The Brown Center (which is a part of MICA – Maryland Institute College of Art).

The Brown Center at MICA

The upscale, yet intimate, setting provided a night to remember for many that were there. Fashion Awards MD founder & producer, Lana Rae, created this event back in the Spring of 2011, with the mission “to highlight, celebrate and recognize the talents of those who have made contributions to the fashion industry in the state of Maryland and beyond” (www.fashionawardsmd.com). The categories range from designers and stylists, to models and photographers, to accessories and boutiques, to media and bloggers. Anyone who takes a part in the making the fashion industry of the Maryland area a success is notably recognized and appreciated (talk about good vibes!).

Host Jaslene Gonzalez & Producer Lana Rae

The theme for the 2014 awards program was “Traveling Fashion Circus”. The theme definitely reigned true in all aspects of the program, which featured circus-esque acts throughout the event, the abstract fashions that were featured during the runway portions of the show, and the face-painted (yet high fashioned) models that displayed the nominees and winners of each category. This year’s host/ringmaster, America’s Next Top Model Cycle 8 Winner, Jaslene Gonzalez, not only kept the fashions upscale and true to form (which she was Styled by Thea – Fashion Awards MD EMERGE 2014 award winner for Best Emerging Stylist & TAGDMV Featured Spotlighter), but also kept the crowd entertained with interactive raffle drawings (which included prizes from a new car – toy car that is – to a gift bag provided by event sponsor, Jack Daniels Honey, to “15 minutes of fame” – which was slayed by DMV media blogger & personality, Rich Rocket – to gift cards – which was also won by yours truly :-)!!!

Other judges and presenters included Christopher Schafer, of Christopher Schafer Clothier and former President of the Baltimore Fashion Alliance, who was paired with Caprece Jackson-Garrett, who is the current President of the BFA, Sen. Catherine Pugh, who is also the Founder of the Baltimore Design School, Theresa & Joe Dyer, Producers of MD Fashion Week, and Isis King, America’s Next Top Model Cycle 11 contestant, fashion designer and motivational speaker. Both nominees and winners were equally excited to just be in the building and participate in this program that acknowledges their hard work.

Sen. Catherine Pugh, Christopher Schafer & Caprece Jackson-Garrett, and Isis King

Check out @TAGDMV & @FashionAwardsMD Instagram page for more pictures, and be sure to visit the www.FashionAwardsMD.com website for more info on the judges, presenters, past winners & and to keep up with more events and pics going forward! Many thanks to Lana Rae and her team for not just giving back to her community, but also paying it forward!

– EMW