Media Contact: John A. Stokes, (202) 673-2195

On Saturday, May 23, 2009, the Runway Youngins of the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Sew ‘N Know Program will present the “Sew Young - Sew Fly - Sew Out of This World” Second Annual Fashion Show from 2 to 5 pm, at the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center (SETLC), 701 Mississippi Avenue, SE.

This year’s fabulous fashion show will feature creations of students from the Sew ‘N Know programs at the SETLC and the Turkey Thicket Recreation Center.  Fashions being shown include black and white polka dot designs, students’ personal designs, Potomac High School Designs, Eleven Designs by Venus Williams, and all-male designs.  The fashion show finale will include creations that incorporate unique materials that were provided to Sew ‘N Know students by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center during a field trip to the center this spring.  The fashions will be introduced by students portraying historic figures and celebrities which were featured in this year’s “Blacks in Wax” event.  Blacks in Wax is an annual SETLC program which celebrates Black History Month and features DPR youth and parents portraying notable black history figures from all eras. 

“The Sew ‘N Know program is a true display of the talent of DPR youth,” said Dr. Ximena Hartsock, Acting Director of DPR.  “I congratulate each of today’s participants and the staff that have worked hard to make this event and program possible.”

For over 12 years, the Sew ‘N Know program has introduced hundreds of District youth ages 7 to 17 years old to the art, science, and business of sewing and the fashion industry, while teaching them skills and building self-confidence.  Sew ‘N Know is held three days a week after school at the SETLC and two days a week at Turkey Thicket Recreation Center, 1100 Michigan Avenue, NE. 

The Sew 'N Know program is supported by the Recreation Wish List Committee, Sewing Opportunities Never Ending (SONE), Greater Washington Fashion Chamber of Commerce, Philip Graham Fund, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, and the Neighborhood Investment Fund administered by the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development.  The success and positive impact of the Sew ‘N Know program has been featured nationally on Voice of America, and in January 2009, Sew ‘N Know students were invited to help dress attendees of the People's Inaugural Ball.

The Sew ‘N Know program is directed by Ms. Janice Rankins, who has been immersed in the fashion industry for over 30 years. She has worked in the wardrobe department of several Hollywood studios and made clothes for television shows such as “Good Times,” “Gimme a Break,” and “Room 227.”  In 1994, she moved to the District and began designing clothing for select clientele before launching Sew ‘N Know.

For more information about the Sew ‘N Know program, please call (202) 645-6241.