Fashion Week of Rochester
RIT Photojournalism
Ewa Hlebowicz and her fellow firemen listen to instructions from their captain during a drill on Monday October 8, 2018. Hlebowicz is the first woman to be hired as a career fire fighter at Barnard. "Because of that, I hold myself at a high standard so I can set an example for those to come" she said.
In the Community
Edited by Jackie Diller
People from all different walks of Rochester came together to participate in Fashion Week. Many of these designers, models, and organizers are leaders in the community. Click on each slideshow below to enlarge and view the stories of three community leaders.
Christopher Washington is the face of the 10th annual Rochester Fashion Week, appearing in marketing campaigns and billboards around the city. He is the owner of the brand TopFlight, which encompasses his clothing line, motivational speaking, and videography business. He is also the father of three sons, Caleb, Chris Jr. and Caden. As Fashion Week approached, Chris balanced preparing for the event with his responsibilities as a dad.
Christopher Washington waits for the Walk and Roll show to begin at Rochester Fashion Week on Oct. 11, 2018 in Rochester, N.Y. Chris is the face of Fashion Week this year and worked closely with the staff to make the fashion show become a reality.
Christopher Washington (right) organizes clothes from his brand, TopFlight, with Megan Mundy (left), Chief Fashion Organizer of Rochester Fashion Week on September 27, 2018 in Rochester, N.Y. Chris is the owner of the fashion line TopFlight and will be showcasing his work while also being the face of Rochester Fashion Week.
Christopher Washington takes a break from working to admire the skyline of the City of Rochester, N.Y. on October 5, 2018. Chris works day and night preparing for Rochester Fashion Week as a designer as well as an important member of the directing staff.
Christopher Washington waits for the Walk and Roll show to begin at Rochester Fashion Week on Oct. 11, 2018 in Rochester, N.Y. Chris is the face of Fashion Week this year and worked closely with the staff to make the fashion show become a reality.
Ewa Hlebowicz conducts fire training for Barnard fire department on October 8, 2018 in Greece, N.Y. She is the first full-time, female firefighter to be hired at Barnard.
Ewa Hlebowicz and her co-worker fill out a case report after receiving a call of a false alarm fire on October 7, 2018 in Greece, N.Y.
Ewa Hlebowicz prepares to walk the runway during the opening show at Rochester Fashion Week on October 9, 2018 in Rochester, N.Y. She enjoys showcasing the "very masculine role of working in the fire service, with this very feminine role of being a model, and I'd like to say I've done a pretty good job of blending the two."
Ewa Hlebowicz conducts fire training for Barnard fire department on October 8, 2018 in Greece, N.Y. She is the first full-time, female firefighter to be hired at Barnard.
Ewa Hlebowicz is a career firefighter at the Barnard Fire Department in Greece, N.Y. She is the first woman to be hired as a full-time firefighter at Barnard. She and her husband, Kyle Glickman, are also in the process of opening a gym of their own called ‘Glickfit’. “I got my start with fitness after I failed my first fitness exam at the firehouse," said Ewa, "I really wasn’t prepared, so I joined CrossFit Rochester... CrossFit is also where I met Megan Mundy, founder of Fashion Week Rochester. She was the one who’s inspired me to model the idea of feminine and masculinity. I was honored when she asked me to be the ‘It Girl’ of the first Fashion Week 8 years ago. And I hope to keep inspiring others throughout my career.”
Saadiq Muhammed, a professional boxer, personal trainer, father, and actor, is a busy man. As he works to make his name in the boxing world, he continues to focus on his job and his family. While pursuing another interest, modeling, he became involved with Rochester Fashion Week. For this year's Fashion Week, he led a group of local boxers in a runway performance, “Boxers in Action”, directing it and modeling himself during the show.
Saadiq Muhammed focuses on stretching the day of his Fashion Week performance during a group boxing class at M/Body Fitness in Rochester, N.Y. on October 13, 2018. Saadiq not only modeled in the performance, "Boxers in Action," but also directed it.
Saadiq Muhammed (right) instructs a group boxing class at M/Body Fitness in Rochester, N.Y. on September 16, 2018. Saadiq is a professional boxer who trains people at M/Body Fitness.
Member of the boxing community of Rochester pose on the Rochester Fashion Week stage after practicing their performance "Boxers in Action" on October 7, 2018.
Saadiq Muhammed focuses on stretching the day of his Fashion Week performance during a group boxing class at M/Body Fitness in Rochester, N.Y. on October 13, 2018. Saadiq not only modeled in the performance, "Boxers in Action," but also directed it.