The last time Chantiza Singh put on a fashion show, it wasn’t until the clothing arrived that she knew her theme—lace. For the Rochester boutique owner and fashionista, this evolution of planning is all a part of the creative process.
“I know it sounds terrible. I plan, but I also let things happen organically, to be creative during this thought process, to not be so rigid and have rules,” Singh says. “I want to do it more like an exhibit of both art, music, fashion, and poetry, and all things that I love—and bring them together in a unique experience.”
But while the theme hasn’t been set for her upcoming fashion show in October, the artists, venue, models, and entertainment are all in place, as is the event name: ‘Threads of Expression,’ which is a theme all in itself.
Featuring dancers, fashion, poetry readings, live jazz music, and art in a variety of forms, it’s what Singh calls turning “art into action.” That’s because the upcoming event will be more than just a vibrant nod to the many styles of art, it’s also a benefit for two unique organizations dedicated to helping victims of human trafficking.
The idea for the event came to Singh last fall, and pieces quickly fell into place. In the early stages of planning, she contacted Mary Jo Gugino Colligan, president and CEO of Angels of Mercy, and Julie Chapus, owner and founder of Miss Julie’s School of Beauty.
“I came to know Chantiza through a fashion show hosted at the Century Club of Rochester. Immediately, I was impressed by not only her fierce talent and drive, but her heart. Chantiza has the most beautiful, giving spirit that shines from her,” Colligan says.
Angels of Mercy supports survivors of human trafficking through street outreach, relationship-building, and rehabilitation guidance. Miss Julie’s School of Beauty, a trauma-informed cosmetology program, offers survivors and at-risk individuals training, job placement, and mental health support. “It’s one of those things people know about, but they don’t pay attention to it because it’s a hard topic,” Singh says.
That’s why she’s channeling her talents into something meaningful. A former producer for Fashion Week Rochester, Singh is no stranger to creating buzzworthy events—skills she now hopes will translate into real impact. The more attention the show receives, the more support she can give to the cause.
As the owner of Chantiza Boutique, Singh lives and breathes fashion. For “Threads of Expression,” she drew inspiration from major fashion weeks in New York and London—particularly London’s House of Tokyo, which struck a chord with its curated runway shows in a theatrical setting.
On Oct. 6, the event will kick off at the Century Club of Rochester with a VIP performance by international jazz singer Robin McKelle, who just so happens to be one of Singh’s customers. When the doors open to all guests, the plan is that they will be dazzled by immersive art and fashion throughout the night, including poetry readings from local poets Heidi Saller and Thomas Warfield. Most of the performers are friends or linked to Singh in some way. For instance, she likes what Saller stands for, while Warfield “is very theatrical, and he brings an audience and gives people an awareness of the topics that he talks to.”
The dance choreographer for the show, Madeline Dembowski, once served as a model during Fashion Week for Singh. And Maya Davis, creator of Udeen Designs in Rochester, will have art on display. “So there are going to be poetry readers and staged models that are going to be posed based on the room and the space, so it’s almost like live art if you will,” Singh says.
While this elevated event brings together many facets of art, it's the mission, and the people rallying behind it, that give the evening its true purpose and meaning. “I think the arts should be in every discussion. When you’re involved in the arts in some way, there are barriers that get broken down between people, which allows some of our humanity to come to the surface, to touch others' humanity,” says Warfield, one of the poets performing at the event. “Raising awareness of human trafficking, we all know this is happening. Probably many of us think, ‘what can I do about this?’ I think this gives you an opportunity to consciously think about it.”
By the end of the event, Singh hopes to write a substantial check to both organizations, a gesture that underscores her deep commitment to the community, one that’s appreciated by the many who know her.
Jordan Sahr, director of community mobilization at Miss Julie’s School of Beauty, puts it poignantly: “The work that we do is so hard—the things we see, the things that we face, the experiences, the stories. When you have someone like Chantiza, who says, I’m going to use my platform and bring light to this, it’s such an emotional piece to this. The support is unreal. Sometimes it can feel really lonely when you do this work. I love when an organization offers so much beauty and so much light to such a dark thing. We need more folk that are willing to shine light. It’s such a beautiful thing to partner with folks who really want to make a difference by using their platform to help us move forward.”
"Chantiza has the most beautiful, giving spirit that shines from her.”
"It’s almost like live art if you will."