Shmatta Chic: BAC 2 Fashion 2011

Written by: Dave Goodman

I don't often have the opportunity to work on projects that are trendy as they are relevant, but my experiences over the past 8 months in rolling out our 2011 BAC2Fashion initiative surprised our community's biggest critic...me.  When exploring ways to bring attention to our cause (providing hope for vulnerable Jewish seniors living in isolation or below the poverty line in Toronto) one would often not turn to song and dance.  I must say, executing my first ever 'flashmob' was a turning point that took this B2F 2011 from good to great in under one week.  Further, using it as a gag on my dad, grandmother and brother to seed on the internet for 40,000+ to see, took it from great to stellar.

The fact that a beloved local eatery, United Bakers Restaurant, generated some great PR out of our marketing gimmick was sweet, but selling out our show the week before we took to the catwalk made us blush.  Then we realize that we oversold by 120 seats based on the original floor plan, and our blush turned to sweat.  "Selling out is never a bad problem to have" our title sponsor and co-Founder of Magen Boys Entertainment, Jian told me.  We had 352 people slated to come out on June 16th to the LEED Gold Certified - Artscape Wychwood Barns after crushing our fundraising goal and grossing over $36,000 by showtime!!

 

Twelve Toronto-based Jewish designers and/or clothing stores showcased their fashion on over 35 young Jewish adult model volunteers.  5 different dance routines gave our fashion show a unique twist that provided a change of pace while also giving some incredible local dance talent their time to shine.  The event has been covered by our community's media outlets: ShalomLife, Friday Night Magazine, and the CJN.  We were thrilled to see coverage in the Toronto Star as well, and how can you blame the majors for finally deciding to cover the CoCo scene - we had some serious talent on board:

EK, founder of her own line and the hit-blog sensation that is sweeping the globe, The Coveteur, made her second appearance in BAC2Fashion in as many years!

Jay Godfrey, NYC designer born and raised in TO and stylist to the stars showed his lines in B2F for the second straight year.  Thank you Jay!

Laura Fine (right), is a prime example of a volunteer that gives back to our Jewish community while her designs are beginning to turn heads on the runway, demonstrating B2F's theme, inter-generational influence in the fashion and garment industry.

I would be remiss not to recognize the catalysts behind this entire operation, our volunteer chairs that put in countless hours of work, creativity and passion into this initiative.  Jess Taylor, Raquel Binder, Lisa Steele and Julie Goldstein provided the lead for a cast of volunteer models, dancers and dozens of volunteer organizing committee members that all own a piece of B2F's success that helped create change and make our community stronger than I have ever known it to be.  Kol Ha'kavod to the inspiring effort by our volunteers!

L-R: Mel Zeller (UJA's CoCo), Lisa Steele, Raquel Binder, Julie Goldstein, Jessica Taylor and Dave Goodman (UJA's CoCo)

A big THANK YOU is due to all event sponsors, event program donors, event attendees and community corporate partners that allowed us to do what we did on a very tight budget.  Knowing that we can channel a great portion of our fundraising efforts to the cause because of your generosity is a testament to your spirit of tzedek and your confidence in our work.

For more information about how you can better the lives of Jewish seniors in Toronto, please do not hesitate to contact me by email:)

*All B2F Event Photos taken by: Giordano Ciampini

Getting Bac 2 Fashion

Written by: Dave Goodman

2.5 years ago, Jen Weisz & Jordan Morra came to the UJA offices at Lipa Green Center with a plan to make an impact through fashion.  Today, we have 4 new volunteer chairs and over 26 young Jewish adults sitting on a volunteer committee to help transform the lives of vulnerable Jewish seniors through our 3rd annual charity dance/fashion show in June 2011.

What is 'BAC 2 FASHION'?

Well the 'BAC' is a play on words for 'back'.  We are looking 'back' so to speak.  But since the initiative was founded by two Birthright Israel Alumni Community leaders, we scooped the acronym BAC and threw the '2' in there (meaning 'to') and the rest is history.  Funky stuff huh?  Thanks.

B2F 2011 Concept

If you happened to catch HBO's 'Shmatta' two part series last spring, you would learn all about the integral role that Jewish immigrants had in the garment sector in the 20th century.  We owned the runways, we ran the sweatshops, we schlepped the goods...North American fashion at at it's core had Jewish influence on it everywhere you looked.  In many ways, it still does today.  From designer brands run by Joseph Mimran (JOE Fresh) or Ralph Lipshitz (Lauren) to up and coming break out clothing designers like Jay Godfrey and Erin Kleinberg, Jewish influence in the fashion industry is still thriving! 


So for 2011, we decided to roll with the concept of looking BAC on Jewish influence in fashion and recognizing the efforts of the Jewish pioneers in the industry, while showcasing the incredible Jewish talent coming out of Toronto today.

B2F 2010 Promo @ Six Degrees Nightclub (by: Corbin Visual).

I think what makes B2F a significant volunteer outlet in our community is the tie-in we are trying to facilitate with the cause.  Since we are looking back on fashion and recognizing the great Jewish pioneers in the industry, it is the very same people that form the 'seniors' demographic.  In Toronto alone, by 2011 they estimate that almost 30,000 people will be categorized as 'seniors', 20% of which live below the poverty line.  Another staggering finding is that almost 1/3 of these individuals are Holocaust survivors.

BAC 2 Fashion net proceeds ($35,000+ was raised in 2010) will go towards UJA Federation of Toronto Seniors initiatives that provide amazing services to this vulnerable sector of our Toronto Jewish community.  From providing basic necessities, to facilitating the social opportunities that will keep our seniors out of isolation and depression, BAC 2 Fashion committee members will be living the cause and volunteering with Jewish seniors throughout the year leading up to the event and hopefully beyond.  How's that for a tie-in?!

So we have our hands full and we have super strong Volunteer Chairs for 2011, so without any further ado, here are our ladies with the plan:

Jess Taylor, 2010 Co-Chair & 2011 Volunteer Co-Chair

Raquel Binder, 2011 Volunteer Co-Chair

Lisa Steele, 2011 Volunteer Co-Chair

Julie Goldstein, 2011 Volunteer Co-Chair

Stay tuned for more updates on who else will be showcased in this great event and how we are trying to change a few lives with our efforts in the Jewish seniors community across Toronto (Bathurst St.).

Happy Chanukah!!