CELEBRATED Jamaican fashion designer Courtney Washington will unveil a special collection at the Children of Jamaica Outreach (COJO) Summer Soiree on July 29 in Westbury, Long Island, New York.

The ‘Style by the Pool’-themed event will also feature African-inspired fashion from popular Brooklyn-based Nigerian designer Moshood. Stoosh Boutique and Signature Closet Boutique will also show their collections.

COJO is a US -registered, not-for-profit organisation founded in 1994 by Gary Williams, on the principle of creating opportunities through empowerment and social development for the less fortunate children in the society.

Noting that the soiree has been a valuable fund-raiser for COJO, which annually presents scholarships through local tertiary institutions to wards of the State, Williams had high praises for all the fashion houses.

“Since the COVID-19 pandemic we have not hosted our annual awards gala in New York, which has for two decades been the main event providing funds for the scholarships. The Summer Soiree has, in the aftermath of the pandemic, allowed us to keep our commitment to the children transitioning from children’s homes to tertiary institutions,” he said.

“We welcome Courtney Washington to the team of fashion professionals who are partnering with us, free of cost, for this worthy cause. They are all members of our awesome team of volunteers, helping to power COJO. Notably we recently presented over US$50,000 in scholarships to former wards of the State heading to university in Jamaica this September.”

The soiree is being hosted under the auspices of volunteers Maurice and Fay Russell. Proceeds will aid Jamaica’s underserved children.