Entertainment
2014 Orlando International Fashion Week Kicked-Off With Ms. International World Jenny Rosario and X-Factor Music Diva Lillie McCloud
Published
12 years agoon
By
Willie DavidORLANDO – The phrase “fashion show” usually conjures up images of malls, large hotel halls, clubs, and perhaps even large warehouses ornately transformed for the occasion. However, Fierce Entertainment Management, the team behind Orlando International Fashion Week, took a totally different angle. In the vein of its culture-rich spring show, Florida Fashion Weekend, which took place at Jai Art Gallery, the team partnered with the Orlando Museum of Art to host the Week’s Kickoff Press Party and Show Sunday, November 2, 2014 to a record-breaking 600 attendees. According to OMA staff, that’s the most people they’ve ever hosted at one time.

OIFW takes its “International” name seriously.
Ms. International World Jenny Rosario, who is also the Week’s ambassador, emceed the event, which featured a diverse five-designer showcase in the Rotunda and a live concert featuring stellar local indie artists in the Auditorium: Ackera Williams, Katherine Beltran, Danielle Whitehead, Daniel Stewart, and Brianna Abregano.
German pianist Fabo Piano and guitarist Buddy Blues provided live tunes in the Rotunda between designers and during intermission. And at one point late in the show, shortly before the final designer presented her line, Rosario actually broke into fluent German conversation with Fabo, igniting the crowd.
The multicultural exhibition wasn’t lost on the attendees, either. Jorge Alvarado, media personality and host of “The Jorge Show” in Tampa, loved the press party:
“I looked out at the crowd and loved seeing the diversity – since fashion is sometimes seen as meant for only a certain group of people, when it’s really not. This says a lot about the diversity of Orlando, and ultimately the nation.”
After the indie music concert in the Auditorium, the showcase continued with Frank Gay’s Rodeo Design line, which featured menswear stitched with rare expensive exotic furs, skins, and fabric accents. Gay, who has been designing clothing for over fifteen years (and more consistently within the last two), drew inspiration from his travels to South of France. He fell in love with the drapery he saw there. “I paid $3,500 for fabric I used in [tonight’s] show,” he noted. “It was originally a gift from the premier in India to the U.S. Ambassador to England.”

Rosemary Vargas’s Le Maison De La Rosse line featured elegant Oriental-themed gowns and evening dresses of polyester, chiffon, and silk, some offering diaphanous sashes, making the models look ready to float out of the room.
Isabel Tse’s Pletora women’s line, inspired by the eccentric but confident and functional fashions she encountered in Hong Kong, offered playful prints and fun-loving ensembles.
Rosalia Beautie’s Boca-Raton-based Athyntiq closed the show with irresistibly sexy women’s wear boasting bandage dresses, geometric designs, cutouts, and catchy prints, including the dress below.
The Stars of the Night
In addition to Miss International World Jenny Rosario and “The Jorge Show” host Jorge Alvarado, who also brought his lovely co-host Chanel Kissa and 104.5’s Viva Lakoi with him, OIFW brought out the brightest from all corners of Florida, including Miss Teen Horizonte USA Ivanimarie Torres Quiles (below), who modeled in the show.
The night’s biggest star was Fox X-Factor diva Lillie Nicole McCloud, who briefly shared her story with the audience and graced everyone with a powerful spine-tingling a cappella performance of what’s to come on her forthcoming album. Fierce Entertainment Management CEO Rob Henlon said she “practically sang the art off the walls.”

McCloud currently has two songs currently available on iTunes: “What About the Beautiful Children” and “The Other Part of Me.” She plans to let her community, or “angels” as she calls them, choose the album title based on the song list she’ll reveal at a later date.
She briefly discussed her X-Factor experience with OFM.
“[It was] very stressful,” she said with a laugh. “We had to be ready by 6 a.m. for pickup, seven days a week. We only got about four to five hours of sleep. But it was amazing to work with Kelly Rowland, and everything you’ve heard about Simon is true. What you see is exactly how he is.”
She noted that X-Factor was “a great launching ground.” She has since been on Christian Television Network, and has received several new opportunities, including being ambassador to Koske, Slovakia and a movie offer to portray Billie Holiday. She is scheduled to head to Atlanta next.
By Mellissa Thomas | FNN / Orlando Fashion Magazine
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Entertainment
“4000 Days,” “Frampton” Set for Naples International Film Festival Oct. 24–25
Published
2 weeks agoon
October 22, 2026NAPLES, Fla. (FNN) — Two documentaries exploring families’ fight against college hazing and the career of musician Peter Frampton will screen at the Naples International Film Festival Oct. 24–25, according to an announcement from 10 Lives Studios.
Both films will be shown at Pavilion Naples, 833 Vanderbilt Beach Road.
“4000 Days”: Families Turn Grief Into Advocacy
Directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Daniel E. Catullo III and executive produced by Paris Hilton, “4000 Days” follows three families whose sons died in fraternity hazing incidents.
Gary and Julie DeVercelly, Linda and Eric Oakes, and TJ and Kim Burch joined forces to challenge hazing practices, seek accountability and push for legislative reform. The title represents the approximately 4,000 days of their struggle to turn personal loss into change, according to the filmmakers.
The 111-minute documentary premiered at Tribeca and won the Grand Jury Award at the Jersey Shore Film Festival, according to the announcement.
Catullo, Julie and Gary DeVercelly, and Eric Oakes are scheduled to participate in question-and-answer sessions following the Naples screenings.
Screenings:
- Saturday, Oct. 24: 4 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 25: 11 a.m.
“Frampton”: A Career of Setbacks and Comebacks
Directed by Frampton’s longtime bandleader, Rob Arthur, and produced by Catullo, “Frampton” traces the guitarist’s rise through the Herd and Humble Pie, his breakthrough as a solo artist and his continued performances while facing a degenerative condition.
Marking the 50th anniversary of “Frampton Comes Alive!”, the documentary combines archival footage, interviews and recent performances to examine the musician’s career and resilience.
The 102-minute film features appearances by musicians and entertainers including Ringo Starr, Sheryl Crow, Tom Morello, Alice Cooper and Nancy Wilson.
After premiering at Tribeca, the documentary won the Audience Award for Music on Screen at the Calgary International Film Festival, according to the announcement.
Screenings:
- Saturday, Oct. 24: 7:05 p.m.
Entertainment
Kym Whitley, Yvette Nicole Brown to Headline First Ladies Health Initiative Brain Health Luncheon
Published
2 months agoon
September 15, 2026The Sept. 19 luncheon in Marina del Rey will spotlight Alzheimer’s, dementia, caregiving and brain health as the First Ladies Health Initiative celebrates new grant support for programs empowering girls.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (FNN) — Emmy-nominated actresses Kym Whitley and Yvette Nicole Brown will headline a First Ladies Health Initiative luncheon focused on Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, caregiving and brain health on Saturday, Sept. 19, in Marina del Rey.
The First Ladies Health Initiative, or FLHI, will host its leaders summit luncheon, “Mindful of the Memories: A Path to Better Brain Health,” beginning at 11 a.m. at The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey.
Whitley, whose credits include Act Your Age and Raising Whitley, and Brown, known for Community, Act Your Age and The Mayor, will participate in a fireside conversation moderated by Dr. Shalonda “Sunshine” Crawford, co-pastor of Experience Christian Ministries.
The discussion will address the experiences of families affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia, including the demands placed on caregivers and the challenges of balancing caregiving with careers and other responsibilities.
Personal Experiences Bring Caregiving Into Focus
FLHI Co-Executive Director Marquisé Alston-Allison said Whitley and Brown were selected in part because both have personal experience caring for their fathers.
“Alzheimer’s disease has a devastating impact on the African American community, where individuals are approximately twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia,” Alston-Allison said in the organization’s announcement.
The luncheon takes place two days before World Alzheimer’s Day on Sept. 21.
Brain Health and Prevention Take Center Stage
FLHI is also partnering with the INSPIRE-Faith program at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, led by neurologists Drs. Dean and Ayesha Sherzai.
The program emphasizes lifestyle factors associated with brain and overall health, including nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management and social connections.
The initiative brings prevention-focused health education into faith and community settings while addressing conditions such as dementia, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and stroke.
Luncheon to Feature Music and Special Honors
Radio personality Aundrae Russell of 102.3 KJLH-FM will serve as emcee, with a musical performance by recording artist David Daughtry.
FLHI will also pay tribute to its founding president, Tracey Alston, who died last year.
Dr. Betty Ruth Price, former first lady, co-founder and matriarch of Crenshaw Christian Center, will also be honored during the event.
FLHI Among Organizations Receiving Girls Opportunity Alliance Support
The event comes as FLHI celebrates its selection for support through the Obama Foundation’s Girls Opportunity Alliance.
According to the announcement, a total of $500,000 will be distributed among 10 organizations working to empower girls, with FLHI among the selected recipients.
FLHI is currently led by second-generation co-executive directors Marquisé Alston-Allison and Taylor Alston-Cleveland, alongside co-founder and National Chair Jamell Meeks of Salem Baptist Church in Chicago and Los Angeles Chair Crawford.
The organization also acknowledged support from Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Healthy Mind Initiatives, Black Girl Vitamins and The Ritz-Carlton.
For additional information, visit First Ladies Health Initiative.
Central Florida News
Orlando International Fashion Week 2026 Opens Early Bird Pass Sales for November Runway Shows
Published
2 months agoon
September 15, 2026OIFW returns Nov. 8-15 with fashion, entertainment and cultural events across Orlando, culminating in a runway weekend at Caribe Royale Orlando.
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Orlando International Fashion Week is opening early bird access for its Fall 2026 “The Shows Pass,” giving guests an opportunity to secure admission to the event’s final weekend runway experiences before individual show tickets go on sale.
Orlando International Fashion Week, or OIFW, returns Nov. 8-15, 2026, with a week of fashion, art, music, entertainment, runway shows and cultural experiences throughout Orlando.
Select events will be invitation-only, while public ticketed programming will be offered throughout the week. The celebration will culminate with runway programming at Caribe Royale Orlando, the host hotel for OIFW’s final weekend experiences.
Early Bird Shows Passes
The Shows Pass is designed for guests seeking early access to OIFW’s featured runway experiences during the final weekend.
Early bird options include:
- 2-Day General Access — Nov. 14-15: $275
- 2-Day Preferred Access — Nov. 14-15: $425
- 2-Day Front Row Access — Nov. 14-15: $650
- 3-Day Front Row Access — Nov. 13-15: $750
Two-day passes include access to featured OIFW runway experiences on Saturday, Nov. 14, and Sunday, Nov. 15, at Caribe Royale Orlando.
Select three-day pass options also include FEN Social on Friday, Nov. 13, at Society Orlando, along with the final weekend runway experiences.
Individual show tickets are expected to be released at a later date.
Fashion, Entertainment and Tourism Come Together
“Orlando International Fashion Week continues to grow as a platform where fashion, entertainment, culture, and tourism come together,” said Rob Henlon, co-founder of Fierce Entertainment Management. “The Shows Pass gives our audience a first opportunity to be part of the final weekend experience as we prepare to announce more designers, models, featured guests, vendors, and special programming.”
OIFW is a Fierce Entertainment initiative produced and coordinated by Fierce Entertainment Management LLC.
Fall 2026 Model Casting Set for Sept. 26-27
Ahead of fashion week, OIFW will hold its Fall 2026 Model Casting on Sept. 26-27 in continued collaboration with the Global Peace Film Festival.
The casting will give models an opportunity to be considered for fashion, media, festival, promotional, live-event and runway opportunities connected to the Global Peace Film Festival and OIFW’s November 2026 shows.
Fierce Entertainment Management will manage and coordinate the casting.
Vendor Opportunities Available
Vendor opportunities are also available for select Fall 2026 events, including FEN Social at Society Orlando and the OIFW runway weekend at Caribe Royale Orlando.
Participation is subject to approval, space availability, venue guidelines and production needs.
Additional designers, models, featured guests, performers, vendors, partners and special experiences will be announced as details are finalized.
Early bird Shows Passes are available through the Orlando International Fashion Week official website.
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