STYLE CONNECTION FOR JAMAICA MUSTARD SEED BENEFIT

 By Walter Greene

`Style Connection 2011' is the theme of the fashion presentation that will highlight the 21st annual Friends of Mustard Seed Communities Benefit Luncheon on Sunday September 25th, 2011, at the New York Hilton's Ballroom starting at 12:30pm. Style Connection will display the similar link between individual style and high couture fashion. This dazzling showcase will also bridge the gap between designers from several genres and different cultural backgrounds. The connection will display a `oneness' of creative talents in terms of designers with backgrounds from the Caribbean, Africa and the USA.

 The fashion show will feature the creations of several Caribbean and American fashion designers including the male swimwear company; Braziliantrunks.com, Monif C Plus Size Creations, New York based Jamaican designer label Poshe by Camesha Powell, New York based Trinidadian designer Donna Dove's `Tale of the Shirt' collection, new designer Natalie Kaleijdjian, Los Angeles based celebrity designer Coco Johnsen, Harlem based designers Bebenoir and Accessory designer Ellen Wagner. The cast of models will include former `Miss Jamaica NY' Dianne Johnson, Angel Melendez, Lene Hall, Kahshanna Evans, Ejyp, Anya Li, Marisa Damallie, Sabrina and Simone Ho Sang, Hector Lincoln, Note', Kursten, Bebe Bocoum, Jessie Ruiz, Jessie Williams, Jason Bonilla, Angelika Morton and Courtney Newell.

 Ann-Marie Francis, Manager Community Affairs and Special Market Sales, Air Jamaica; Dennis Hawthorne, CEO Dennis Shipping and Elinor Tatum, Publisher and Editor in Chief of the New York Amsterdam News will be the afternoon's honorees. Ms. Tatum will also serve as Keynote Speaker. The Benefit chair is Daphne Mahoney, honorary chairs are Tyra Heaven, Board Member, Mustard Seed Communities International, The Very Rev. Hon. Monsignor Gregory Ramkissoon, OJ - Founder Mustard Seed Communities, Inc. and Geneive Brown Metzger, New York's Consul General of Jamaica. The luncheon will be augmented by lavish cocktails, a silent auction and a grand raffle with the First Prize of a trip for two to Jamaica, compliments of Jet Blue and Sunset Resorts, all expenses paid will also highlight the afternoon's festivities.

 Mustard Seed Communities International is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1978 as a home for children with disabilities who has been abandoned or orphaned to the streets of Jamaica. More than 30 years later Mustard Seed Communities provide caring, sharing and training to children, youth and adults in 15 communities throughout the Caribbean, Central America and Africa with 20 outreach programs. At the forefront of Mustard Seed's expansion is the creation of village communities for orphaned babies, children with disabilities and special needs, families living with HIV/AIDS, pregnant teens and battered women. For more information on the benefit luncheon and fashion show call 212-477-2848 or 646-373-7307.