Aveda Institute New Mexico held its annual Catwalk for Water Saturday, April 27 introducing Albuquerque to a fashionable under the sea experience while raising money for a great cause.
By Nichole Harwood
With doors opening at 6 p.m. patrons of the fashion community flooded into the National Hispanic Cultural Center ready to watch models decorated in makeup and clothing designs created by Aveda Institute New Mexico’s students’ catwalk down the runway to promote clean water awareness.
The performance was made possible through a partnership between Aveda Institute New Mexico and Charity: Water, a non-profit organization that provides clean drinking water to people in developing nations. Additionally, business partners in the community donated gift certificates and prizes to a raffle held throughout the show with proceeds from the raffle being donated. These business partners included Amore Pizzeria, Garcia’s Kitchen, Two Cranes Bistro and Brew, Remedy Coffee, and Showtime Barbershop.
Aveda Institute New Mexico Cosmetology Instructor Dillon Spranley said the charity message resonated strongly with her, as she believes it’s an eye-opening experience for many individuals to realize just how fortunate they are to have access to clean water.
“For me, I think it’s a great cause to raise money for this and not just for something locally within our country,” Spranley said. “I think it’s part of Aveda’s mission to help the world and so I think this is incorporating that.”
The show began around 7 p.m., and the crowd made their way excitedly to their seats before being introduced to the Youtube video “Water Changes Everything” which was quickly followed by a speech going over the importance of clean water.
After introducing the premise of the show, the lights were darkened in the auditorium as the first group of models took to the stage. From there audience members were immersed in a creative performance filled with diversity ranging from drag performances from Nadia Deleon, Kuwani and Liviana to the live artist Ilashone who created a masterpiece before attendees eyes.
Throughout the show, the audience was educated on not just the importance of clean water but the work of Charity: Water who provide solutions to countries that don’t have access to clean water by creating drilled wells, spring protections and BioSand filters that help generate clean water to communities around the world.
Catwalk for Water ended with a finale catwalk featuring models adorned in mermaid attire with false gills and underwater themed makeup.
Before the finale Mark “Pardo” Gonzales thanked the staff and students of Aveda Institute New Mexico, as well as the attendees for their dedication to the charity cause.
“Seeing this kind of work from these students, these young fashion artists inspires me,” said Gonzales.
Video by ABQ-Live intern Raevin Richardson
Photos by ABQ-Live photographer Gabriel Aro
