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Designer creates scarf to
help shield soldiers from
Iraq's turbulent sand storms
By
KAREN KARASZKIEWICZ
For The Times Herald
Fashion
might seem like the least of the worries of a soldier fighting for freedom
overseas. But local designer Shallyn has come up with an idea to employ
skills to help those serving in
Iraq.
Shallyn will be unveiling the "sand scarves" her company has manufactured
for the soldiers during the Shallyn Style Soiree, on Wednesday, July 21,
7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
at the Marriott Philadelphia West Hotel,
West
Conshohocken.
A portion of the proceeds will be used to manufacture the scarves.
Shallyn, who graduated from Upper Merion High School and maintains design
headquarters in
Bridgeport,
said that she has been concerned about the war since the U.S. troops were
sent overseas. Then she found out about Keystone Soldiers, a non-profit
organization which sends care packages to the troops, from State Rep. Daylin
Leach. Part of the care packages were to be sand scarves, which shield sand
from the soldiers' faces. Shallyn decided that designing these scarves was a
way in which she could donate to the organization.
"I was bombarded with so many images of the war and I wanted to see what we
could do here to contribute to what was happening," said the designer. "When
I found out how much it cost to produce (the sand scarves), I thought that
was where we could be of assistance."
Kyle Lord, founder and director of Keystone Soldiers, said that the sand
scarves are very important this time of year when the sand storms are bad
and the temperatures are high, but the military does not provide them for
the soldiers. She said that the scarves were previously produced by a group
of various women who volunteered when material was donated to the
organization.
"It's pretty impressive that Shallyn has taken on a project like this that
no one else, including the government, has plunged into before," she said.
The sand scarves are a light tan color, which creates a camouflage effect,
and they are made of cotton so the soldiers can breathe. They are
manufactured in
Philadelphia
by a subcontractor working for Shallyn.
The Shallyn Style Soiree is part of Fashion Week Philadelphia, which takes
place July 19 to 24. The Ready-To-Wear Spring Collection Preview 2005 will
be held in Shallyn's showroom, 114 DeKalb St., Bridgeport. The event is open
to the public
"(The event) puts emphasis on the local designers and manufacturers who are
struggling to get recognition," said Shallyn.
The manufacturers include shoe, jewelry, scarf and handbag designers.
Shallyn will also be unveiling the company's adjustable S caps for the eyes
to cut down on sun glare, which will be sent to the soldiers in Iraq along
with the sand scarves. Shallyn said she expects a good turnout and hopes
that both men and women will enjoy the show.
"We want people to see the clothing and get a taste of fashion as well,"
said Shallyn. "What's the point of looking at fashion if you have nowhere to
wear it?"
Ticket information:
Tickets for the Shallyn Style Soiree can be purchased via the company's Web
site, www.eSHALLYN.com. For more information, call (610) 239-7550.
To purchase SHALLYN Sand Scarf, click here: |