WELCOME
Letter from the President
I hope that everyone had a great summer filled with memories. I was born and raised in the center of Manhattan. This is my third year here at Arizona State University and I am majoring in Political Science. Growing up in one of the four fashion capitals of the world, I can say that I am a shopaholic. However, I like to proudly make that statement because I think that shopping, clothing, and fashion are pivotal factors in any young girls life. Fashion also deals a lot with culture. When I was in high school, I was personally moved and enthused by my eighth grade history teacher, Mr. Taylor’s drastic move to become Head Master of the Maru-A-Pula School in Botswana, Africa. His belief that it was his calling to give these children a better chance to receive the gift of education, inspired me to get involved as well, and I founded a club called Fashion Forward. I have now started Fashion Forward here at ASU, as a not for profit organization. The Fashion Forward magazine is being created by only the most fashion savvy Arizona State University students: Kelly Weber, Jessica Waldman, Jenny Shuster, Elle Harala, and Megan Campell. We are always looking for new writers and new members to join our team and support our cause!!
When I was in high school my lofty goal of raising enough money to pay for a student’s $7,500 tuition, room and board, I needed a novel approach that would capture my classmate’s imagination. Realizing that many of my classmates are “fashion hounds”, I decided to combine the appeal of providing assistance to the students of Maru-A-Pula with having fun with fashion. I have come to the conclusion that my idea in high school will also work here at ASU. My entrepreneurial drive has always been contagious, and a lot of my friends here at ASU have become committed to contributing to Fashion Forward. We will be publishing a monthly magazine. There will always be a section in the magazine describing how you can get involved and help with both Fashion Forward and Maru-A-Pula’s Orphan Scholarship Fund. We will also be holding a variety of fun and fashionable events throughout the school year. One event that will definitely happen is a Fashion Show. When I was in high school, one fashion show that I put together was a huge success. From back stage during that fashion show where I was getting student models ready in the hectic dressing room, I took a breather and peered out onto the stage and saw hundreds of people bobbing their heads to the student D.J., smiling, chatting, and snacking. In the midst of this, I fielded an interview with Teen Vogue Magazine. The student models powered down the runway, captivating the audience. My true feelings of success came the next day when I called the director at Maru-A-Pula school to tell him that we had far surpassed our goal of $7,500 and had raised $30,000 for the school. Thanks to Fashion Forward, four students would receive an education. I want Fashion Forward to follow through on a commitment to the students at Maru-A-Pula utilizing fashion to allow this to happen. Our goal is to raise at least $40,000 this semester for Maru-A-Pula. Fashion Forward’s goals are large but I believe that there is no runway too long, and no goal too high.
A WARM THANK YOU TO ALL THAT PARTICIPATE IN OUR FLASH CHARITY EVENT!!!
We are still raising money for our operating funds. Your donations will help in getting Fashion Forward's show on the road!! Once we get our magazine published, which will be in the beginning of September, we will be holding a number of different events including a Fashion Show! Your donations will be helping not only Fashion Forward's first issue, but all the donations we receive that surpass Fashion Forward's operating funds will go straight to Maru-A-Pula's Orphan Scholarship Fund. Every donation counts! Donations of $150 or more will be recognized in our magazine!
Thank you so much for your time,
Danielle Miller, President