Moda Provocateur - Mar. 8 - Reminder

TUCSON (Observer Update) - The sixth annual Moda Provocateur event of high style and fresh design takes place on this Sunday, March 8, at the University of Arizona student union grand ballroom, beginning at 6pm. The show is sponsored by Udall Law Firm, and benefits the many programs and services of the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation. This is not your typical fashion show!

Five Tucson salons are the main players in creating this show; Avalon for Hair, Skin and Nails, Ahead of Style, Style 7 Salon, Aveda Institute and, hosted by Spirals Salon, the John Paul Mitchell Southwest Education Team. This show actually starts with the hair and goes on to add fashions to match. Generous local boutiques collaborate with the salons as they each build a segment of the show, including music, video, choreography and lighting. The unique parts of the show are designed not only to entertain and amaze, but also to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS.

Project Runway Moda, a special feature this year, adds even more AIDS awareness to the production. Pima Community College’s school of fashion and clothing design joined up with Moda Provocateur to develop a fashion design competition. Students designed and created clothing for three different challenges; Tucson Style, All Things Patriotic and Military, and AIDS Awareness. In early meetings for the segment, several of the students revealed that their lives had been touched in some way by AIDS, making this competition even more powerful. The winning design in each category, as well as all the outfits created by the students, will be shown at Moda Provocateur, and the audience will vote to decide which student is the top overall designer.

Another exciting moment will be awarding the Cele Peterson Moda Provocateur award to Kerstin Block, founder and co-owner of Buffalo Exchange. The award was established in 2008 and named for Tucson fashion icon, Cele Peterson, for provoking style and supporting Tucson philanthropically. Cele Peterson has been the grande dame of Tucson fashion since 1931, when she opened a small store on Stone Avenue, bringing a new era of grace, style and beauty to the Old Pueblo. Kerstin Block’s commitment to style and fashion, combined with the eco-friendly nature of her business, makes her a natural choice for the Cele Peterson award.

To be a part of this exciting and compassionate evening, go to www.saafmoda.org for information about tickets and other ways you can participate. VIP seats which incorporate the best views of the runway, dinner and a special pre-show that starts at 5pm are going fast. To reserve your seat, call (520)628-7223 and ask for Mae or Jess. Regular reserved seating for the show can be purchased at any of the salons and are $50, $30 with a student ID. For more information about the programs and services of the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation, please visit www.saaf.org or call the number above.