Folks outside of the Garden State tend to think of New Jerseyans as all big hair and tacky clothes, but those of us who live in this much maligned state know differently. Sure, there are a few blips — i.e. the entire cast of Jersey Shore — but many of us know how to appropriately pair our Prada and our Zac Posen. So, at long last, there’s an event that proves once and for all that New Jersey knows style — and knows how to give back, too.
Monday kicked off the state’s inaugural New Jersey Fashion Week, and all proceeds benefit the North Jersey chapter of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Unlike New York Fashion Week, New Jersey Fashion Week celebrated both fashion and beauty, with a hair-oriented set of shows Monday evening, and a fashion show featuring emerging designers Tuesday evening.
The marriage of high fashion and charity are what motivated two famous New Jersey residents to attend the event on Tuesday evening for the main runway show: former and current Real Housewives of New Jersey stars Dina Manzo and Caroline Manzo.
“I don’t usually leave the house for an event unless it’s charity-based,” Dina told Tonic (while looking super-fab in a Badgley Mischka skirt and black top of unknown origins). “I have my own charity for children with cancer, Project Ladybug, so I know how important it is to give back.”
“I could be walking the red carpet every night so I choose to come to the events that give back,” she added. (Go Dina!)
As if Dina hadn’t charmed us enough, the former Housewife also explained in Tonic terms why she decided to opt out of the second season of RHONJ. “I’m really focused on what your website is about: doing good. To sit around and argue with five women is not something that’s good for my soul, so I choose to use the (platform) I have been given because of the show, which I appreciate, and do good things with it.”
While Caroline Manzo is still involved in the drama of the show, she showed off her fashionable and charitable sides to Tonic. Her definition of New Jersey style? “We dare to be ourselves — whatever makes us happy,” she declared, and admitted she had no idea which designer she was wearing. (How undiva-like is that!)
Plus, it seems she’s as dedicated to charitable causes as her sister.
“If life has been good to you, you have to give back,” she explained. “It’s about fashion. Who loves fashion? Women. Let it be fashionable to check yourself. I’m all about it. I love it.”
Caroline sat in the front row next to Jonathan Cheban, star of The Spin Crowd on E! and a New Jersey native. Although the celebrity publicist gamely chatted with Tonic, he admitted he’s not really “such a big charity guy” personally, although he’s not against events that benefit others. Why? “I’m on both coasts, I’ve got a lot of bills to pay and we really have to do the big paid events.”
Oh well, can’t win them all.
Fortunately, New Jersey Fashion Week co-founder Donnella Tilery told Tonic the charitable component was crucial to the event.
“To me, New Jersey Fashion Week should be for a cause,” she explained. “That’s what makes us different. What I put on my press release is giving back never goes out of style.”
We so agree.
Runway shot and photo of Dina Manzo with New Jersey Fashion Week co-founder Jack Panico by Al Chaudhri / www.studio25inc.com