OTTAWA — City Sisters, Ottawa’s premier clothing swap and young professional women’s networking social, will host its first event on Sunday, May 25. The event, to be held at the Delta Ottawa City Centre, will provide young, professional and career-oriented women the opportunity to take part in a clothing swap, develop new relationships and share ideas with their peers. It will also mark City Sisters’ launch as Ottawa’s leading business and social networking opportunity specifically for professional women. “I am thrilled to host the very first City Sisters event,” said Renata Pereira Dasilva-Sharkey, founder. “The idea for this group came to me after I participated in a friend’s clothing swap. Many of the women who participated were meeting for the first time, yet I walked away feeling like I had known them for years. I decided to create a venue for people who shared similar passions. I wanted fill a void in the city’s networking opportunities for young professional metropolitan women.”
Ms. Dasilva-Sharkey, the president, founder and creative director of contemporary fashion house R-Rated Mode, has had lifelong interests in both fashion and business. She brainstormed the event after recognizing that a niche had been created — prompted, in part, by the economic downturn — that gave an opportunity for fashion-forward women to network and share ideas, even if they were dealing with financial limitations.
In addition to a unique clothing swap, City Sisters will feature runway presentations by rising local fashion design stars Marcelle Bénédicte, MeTu Style, D&L Boutique, Guertina Cruz, Bourgeois Vintage, Aria Frances and Delilah Rose. Hair care specialist, Paula Whitelocke (Hair Designs by Paula) will be on hand to offer attendees her expert advice on hair maintenance. Guests will have the opportunity to learn cosmetic application secrets from leading make-up artist Danielle Holder-Mondesire (Holdmond Natural Skin Care Makeup Artistry and Cosmetics). Allison Everett (Owner of D&L Boutique) will be sharing expert tips for every day, effortless style that any women can achieve no matter what shape or size. The Super Women in Heels Style Awards, will be presented to Grace Mayele, Executive Director/CEO of Within Essence Productions, recognizing her leadership in Ottawa’s fashion industry. A second award will be honoring Lisa Labelle, a woman who has overcome significant life obstacles to become a role model for others. “At the heart of City Sisters is the desire to leverage the professional network, using it as an umbrella platform to showcase rising talent in the areas of women’s wear design, image consultants, makeup artistry and hair styling,” Dasilva-Sharkey said. “It is my hope that this event will go a long way in helping career-oriented women in Ottawa develop relationships, share their ideas and receive inspiration from those around them.”
The City Sisters networking social will take place May 25 from 2 to 6 p.m. Delta Ottawa City Centre is located at 101 Lyon Street North in Ottawa.
