“The event will be me showcasing my latest collection while also bringing awareness,” fashion designer and nextpert (i.e. future expert) Shan Keith said about his upcoming presentation of the Ne Che line at a special show next Friday. But when Keith unveils his latest collection at Windows on Washington, the show definitely won’t just be for fashion’s sake.
He will be using his talent as a designer to honor his late sister Santonya Neche Oliver – who passed away from a brain aneurysm last year – and raise funds for research and treatment in order to save lives.
A portion of the proceeds from the show will be donated to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation – a national organization established in 1994 to provide comprehensive information and support for aneurysm patients, their families and the medical community.
“A lot of people are not privy to condition,” Keith said. “So I want to help people recognize symptoms, treatments and take precautions before its too late.”
His sister was not only his number one fan and supporter, but often aided him in the creative process from the very beginning of his career as a fashion designer nearly ten years ago.
“She would be right there with me new ideas and encouragement,” Keith said. “I didn’t know how I was going to get past her passing, but doing this show was therapeutic for me.”
As he displays love and pays tribute to his sister through the show, Keith says Neche (which is also his sister’s middle name)– will rip the runway with all of the things fashionistas love from Keith’s signature design style and more.
“I’m going to show everything that I can do,” Keith said. “From Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter wear – and go outside the box.”
More than 70 pieces will be featured as part of the Neche line. The show will be an experience of complete freedom of fashion expression for Keith and he hopes to inspire style in the people who attend.
Anyone who has seen Keith’s creations will agree that he possesses an uncanny gift for predicting trends long before they become fashionable among the mainstream.
Those who attend Neche will witness his talent for fashion forecasting and have an opportunity to scoop the style community by way of Keith’s keen eye for future must haves.
While he wants to use the Neche to illustrate the possibilities and the unlimited opportunities for style, he hopes that everyone in attendance walks away with something more than fresh ideas for their wardrobe. He is using is talent as a segue into helping the masses become informed about aneurysms and raising money so that lives can be saved.
“This was a no brainer for me,” Keith said. “It’s a way of keeping her memory alive and coping with her death.”
Shan Keith’s benefit showing of the Ne Che collection will take place at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 23rd at Windows on Washington (1601 Washington). For more information, call (314) 255-5417 or visit www.shankeithdesigns.com.
