1. Once Upon a Time, there was a beautiful concrete
fortress. Strong, robust, and filled with talent and
passion, it is here that our story begins. Like most
stories, this one follows the journey of a man as he
embarks on the road to greatness. Though there
aren’t curses that need to be broken or damsels that
need to be rescued, our story is important just the
same. It’s a world filled with hair, makeup, shoes,
runways, and of course fashion. Though some may
say it’s superficial, we’d like to argue you can’t say
so without seeing that world for yourself first!
Thankfully you have us to show it to you!
Our protagonist’s name is Daniel Natale and this is
his story.

2. One of the most well-known and
historic landmarks in all of NYC,
Fashion Avenue has forever been a
Mecca for artists and creators alike.
From it’s plethora of fabric shops and
sewing supplies stores , it’s only fitting
that a fashion show would take place
there.

3. Located on the corner of Fashion Avenue and 40th street, Parsons: The New School for
Design was founded in 1896. Forever revolutionizing the way fashion education was
taught, Parsons is known for its professors and staff, many who are alums of the industry
themselves.

4. Known largely as “the place where Project Runway is filmed”, Parsons is unique in that it
is one of the few places that not only challenges students academically, but also gives
them a platform where they can advertise their work via weekly student produced
runway shows and events. These events often benefit charities, as well as, get students
in contact with potential employers.

5. One such event is the 2nd annual Sisters on the Runway Fashion Charity show
which was held on Friday, October 11th at the Parsons Fashion Building. Sisters
on the Runway was founded in 2005 by then 15-year old Elizabeth Eddy,
Gabriela Graham, and Juliana Colangelo. Since then it’s grown to have a division
in over 100 colleges and high schools throughout the U.S. The Parsons Division is
one of the largest in New York City.

6. All proceeds from the event went to benefit Safe Haven, a shelter dedicated to helping
women and children affected by domestic violence. Though the event was held for the
charity, it largely focused on the inner workings and operations of the fashion industry.
When asked about the event, most of the models said it was a great cause, but
admitted they knew little about it and were mainly there to “walk the runway”.

7. With such great emphasis on the fashion-side of the event, models were expected to get
the full runway treatment, including hair and makeup. Most of the makeup artists like
volunteered her services and time. Elf cosmetics also volunteered it’s products for the
event, though all models were told to bring their own foundation and mascara to save time.

8. One of the designers featured in
Friday night’s show was 22-yearold Parsons student Dan Natale,
pictured here with his model Chiyo,
25. Hailing from Canada, Dan had
originally intended to be an
architect but had a change of heart
when he began constructing
clothes. The inspiration behind
Dan’s piece is hiding a women’s
body: “ I rarely design clothes to be
form fitting. A woman is more
intriguing when one must imagine
her through elegant fabrics and
beautiful drapes”.

9. Dan had to audition for a spot in
the Sisters on the Runway show.
He had to submit sketches and
construct five garments,
including the piece shown to the
left modeled by Chiyo, 25. When
asked about the cause, Dan said ,
“I actually knew about the cause
since my freshmen year at
Parsons. I participated last year
for the first time and when I
heard they were doing it again, I
didn’t even have to think about
it. For me to help people just by
making clothes for others to look
at, is the least I can do.”

10. Dan’s Collection called Ruble,
which consisted of blacks,
whites, and greys, was inspired
by his own uniqueness as a
designer: “The thing about me
as a designer it’s unlike other
things. It’s an exploration of
shape that I conduct by myself
in a way. So where other people
might be inspired by flowers or
a painting, I like to just take a
fabric I like and explore what I
can do with shape and what I
can do with it. And when I get
something I like I’ll sort of build
the collection around that
exploration of shape”.

11. The show, which began at 7:00, had a very large turnout. Among those who
attended were journalist and photographers who got the coveted “front row
reserved seats”.

12. About 350 people came to watch the Parsons fashion show. The event was so crowded
that the small hall where it was held quickly ran out of seats, causing some patrons to
stand or lean against the back walls.

13. The Show began with a short speech of Blair Morgan Reeves, President of the
Sisters on the Runway Division at Parsons. Thanking everyone for showing there
support, Blair revealed that through ticket sales and other donations, Parsons
was able to raise more than $5000 for Safe Haven.

14. The names of the 15 designers showing in the show were projected on large
widescreen TVs along the runway hall’s left and right side, signifying the
beginning and end of each designer’s collection. Dan’s name seen here was
lucky number 15!

15. Mary Adams, 21, seen here
modeling for Dan, had this to say
about her fellow Parson student :
“Dan has a natural talent when it
comes to designing clothes. I love
his design style because it’s super
easy and I can totally see his clothes
buying sold in stores. He gets really
embarrassed when I try to convince
him to let me where stuff he’s made
out and stuff but he’s super
talented.” When asked about the
cause, she admitted, “I only know a
little about it but I think it’s
awesome. But then again what
cause isn’t awesome!”

16. Fellow Parsons Journalism student,
Charlotte Woods, 21, who also
walked in Dan’s show said that she
found out about the event through
Blair, the Sisters on the Runway
President at Parsons: “I saw Blair
putting up flyers about the model
casting around school and I wanted
to help. Plus I really liked the cause.
I think it’s a great collaborate effort,
especially since its run by students .
I think it’s great that the proceeds
go to Safe Haven. It gives a
promotional platform for the
designer and simultaneously serves
a purpose for the cause. I like being
a part of it. Plus Dan’s outfits are so
close to my own style that I love
wearing them.

17. FIT student Danielle Kraeger, 20, who
walked in the very first Sisters on the
Runway show last year, had this to say:
“I’m very exciting to be walking!
Especially for Dan”. Despite the fact
that FIT and Parsons are rivals, Danielle
stated that she decided to walk in the
show because, “I like the cause a lot.
There’s more meaning behind it than
just walking for a show or competition.
Its life changing.”

18. Strolling down the runway at the
show’s end, Dan shocked the crowd by
not walking out with one favorite
model like all the other designers
before him; instead he walked out
with all five, causing the crowd to
erupt in raucous cheers that later
ended in a standing ovation! Later on
he said, “They had told me to pick one
model to go out with but I couldn’t do
that. The collection wouldn’t have
been the same without all of them so I
picked all of them.”

19. Dan gets a standing ovation from the crowd as he and his models make their final walk
down the runway. “He stole the show” most people are heard saying.

20. Dan and his models Chiyo,
Julia, Charlotte, Danielle,
and Mary all pose for
pictures at the end of the
show. when asked how it
felt to get a standing
ovation, Dan throw his hand
out and said, “It was rocking
rolling!”