HomeMy WebLinkAboutContractAGREEMENT FOR LODGING TAX FUNDING FOR NORTH
AMERICAN FASHION WEEK 2021
THIS AGREEMENT, dated for reference purposes only as September 13, 2021, is by and between
the City of Renton (the “City”), a Washington municipal corporation, and AmPowering
(“Consultant”), a Washington Non-Profit Corporation. The City and the Consultant are referred
to collectively in this Agreement as the “Parties.” Once fully executed by the Parties, this
Agreement is effective as of the last date signed by both parties.
1.Scope of Work: Consultant agrees to provide organization and implementation of North
American Fashion week 2021 events for the purpose of promoting tourism to the City of
Renton as specified in Exhibit A, which is attached and incorporated herein and may
hereinafter be referred to as the “Work.”
2.Changes in Scope of Work: The City, without invalidating this Agreement, may order
changes to the Work consisting of additions, deletions or modifications. Any such changes
to the Work shall be ordered by the City in writing and the Compensation shall be
equitably adjusted consistent with the rates set forth in Exhibit A or as otherwise mutually
agreed by the Parties.
3.Time of Performance: Consultant shall commence performance of the Agreement
pursuant to the schedule(s) set forth in Exhibit A. All Work shall be performed by no later
than December 31, 2021.
4.Compensation:
A.Amount. Total compensation to Consultant for Work provided pursuant to this
Agreement shall not exceed $20,000, as a flat rate fixed sum based upon Work actually
performed according to the rate(s) or amounts specified in Exhibit A. The Consultant
agrees that any hourly or flat rate charged by it for its Work shall remain locked at the
negotiated rate(s) unless otherwise agreed to in writing or provided in Exhibit A.
Except as specifically provided herein, the Consultant shall be solely responsible for
payment of any taxes imposed as a result of the performa nce and payment of this
Agreement.
B.Method of Payment. On a monthly or no less than quarterly basis during any quarter
in which Work is performed, the Consultant shall submit a voucher or invoice in a form
CAG-21-278
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specified by the City, including a description of what Work has been performed, the
name of the personnel performing such Work, and any hourly labor charge rate for
such personnel. The Consultant shall also submit a final bill upon completion of all
Work. Payment shall be made by the City for Work performed within thirty (30)
calendar days after receipt and approval by the appropriate City representative of the
voucher or invoice. If the Consultant’s performance does not meet the requirements
of this Agreement, the Consultant will correct or modify its performance to comply
with the Agreement. The City may withhold payment for work that does not meet the
requirements of this Agreement.
C.Effect of Payment. Payment for any part of the Work shall not const itute a waiver by
the City of any remedies it may have against the Consultant for failure of the
Consultant to perform the Work or for any breach of this Agreement by the
Consultant.
D.Non-Appropriation of Funds. If sufficient funds are not appropriated or allocated for
payment under this Agreement for any future fiscal period, the City shall not be
obligated to make payments for Work or amounts incurred after the end of the
current fiscal period, and this Agreement will terminate upon the completion of all
remaining Work for which funds are allocated. No penalty or expense shall accrue to
the City in the event this provision applies.
5.Termination:
A.The City reserves the right to terminate this Agreement at any time, with or w ithout
cause by giving ten (10) calendar days’ notice to the Consultant in writing. In the event
of such termination or suspension, all finished or unfinished documents, data, studies,
worksheets, models and reports, or other material prepared by the Consu ltant
pursuant to this Agreement shall be submitted to the City, if any are required as part
of the Work.
B.In the event this Agreement is terminated by the City, the Consultant shall be entitled
to payment for all hours worked to the effective date of termination, less all payments
previously made. If the Agreement is terminated by the City after partial performance
of Work for which the agreed compensation is a fixed fee, the City shall pay the
Consultant an equitable share of the fixed fee. This provision shall not prevent the
City from seeking any legal remedies it may have for the violation or nonperformance
of any of the provisions of this Agreement and such charges due to the City shall be
deducted from the final payment due the Consultant. No payment shall be made by
the City for any expenses incurred or work done following the effective date of
termination unless authorized in advance in writing by the City.
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6.Warranties And Right To Use Work Product: Consultant represents and warrants that
Consultant will perform all Work identified in this Agreement in a professional and
workmanlike manner and in accordance with all reasonable and professional standards
and laws. Compliance with professional standards includes, as applicable, performing the
Work in compliance with applicable City standards or guidelines (e.g. design criteria and
Standard Plans for Road, Bridge and Municipal Construction). Professional engineers shall
certify engineering plans, specifications, plats, and reports, as applicable, pursuant to
RCW 18.43.070. Consultant further represents and warrants that all final work product
created for and delivered to the City pursuant to this Agreement shall be the original work
of the Consultant and free from any intellectual property encumbrance which would
restrict the City from using the work product. Consultant grants to the City a non-
exclusive, perpetual right and license to use, reproduce, distribute, adapt, modify, and
display all final work product produced pursuant to this Agreement. The City’s or other’s
adaptation, modification or use of the final work products other than for the purposes of
this Agreement shall be without liability to the Consultant. The provisions of this section
shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement.
7.Record Maintenance: The Consultant shall maintain accounts and records, which
properly reflect all direct and indirect costs expended and Work provided in the
performance of this Agreement and retain such records for as long as may be required by
applicable Washington State records retention laws, but in any event no less than six
years after the termination of this Agreement. The Consultant agrees to provide access
to and copies of any records related to this Agreement as required by the City to audit
expenditures and charges and/or to comply with the Washington State Public Records Act
(Chapter 42.56 RCW). The provisions of this section shall survive the expiration or
termination of this Agreement.
8.Public Records Compliance: To the full extent the City determines necessary to comply
with the Washington State Public Records Act, Consultant shall make a due diligent search
of all records in its possession or control relating to this Agreement and the Work,
including, but not limited to, e-mail, correspondence, notes, saved telephone messages,
recordings, photos, or drawings and provide them to the City for production. In the event
Consultant believes said records need to be protected from disclosure, it may, at
Consultant’s own expense, seek judicial protection. Consultant shall indemnify, defend,
and hold harmless the City for all costs, including attorneys’ fees, attendant to any claim
or litigation related to a Public Records Act request for which Consultant has responsive
records and for which Consultant has withheld records or information contained therein,
or not provided them to the City in a timely manner. Consultant shall produce for
distribution any and all records responsive to the Public Records Act request in a timely
manner, unless those records are protected by court order. The provisions of this section
shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement.
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9. Independent Contractor Relationship:
A. The Consultant is retained by the City only for the purposes and to the extent set forth
in this Agreement. The nature of the relationship between the Consultant and the City
during the period of the Work shall be that of an independent contractor, not
employee. The Consultant, not the City, shall have the power to control and direct the
details, manner or means of Work. Specifically, but not by means of limitation, the
Consultant shall have no obligation to work any particular hours or particular
schedule, unless otherwise indicated in the Scope of Work or where scheduling of
attendance or performance is mutually arranged due to the nature of the Work.
Consultant shall retain the right to designate the means of performing the Work
covered by this agreement, and the Consultant shall be entitled to employ other
workers at such compensation and such other conditions as it may deem proper,
provided, however, that any contract so made by the Consultant is to be paid by it
alone, and that employing such workers, it is acting individually and not as an agent
for the City.
B. The City shall not be responsible for withholding or otherwise deducting federal
income tax or Social Security or contributing to the State Indu strial Insurance
Program, or otherwise assuming the duties of an employer with respect to Consultant
or any employee of the Consultant.
C. If the Consultant is a sole proprietorship or if this Agreement is with an individual, the
Consultant agrees to notify the City and complete any required form if the Consultant
retired under a State of Washington retirement system and agrees to indemnify any
losses the City may sustain through the Consultant’s failure to do so.
10. Hold Harmless: The Consultant agrees to release, indemnify, defend, and hold harmless
the City, elected officials, employees, officers, representatives, and volunteers from any
and all claims, demands, actions, suits, causes of action, arbitrations, mediations,
proceedings, judgments, awards, injuries, damages, liabilities, taxes, losses, fines, fees,
penalties, expenses, attorney’s or attorneys’ fees, costs, and/or litigation expenses to or
by any and all persons or entities, arising from, resulting from, or related to the negligent
acts, errors or omissions of the Consultant in its performance of this Agreement or a
breach of this Agreement by Consultant , except for that portion of the claims caused by
the City’s sole negligence.
Should a court of competent jurisdiction determine that this agreement is subject to RCW
4.24.115, (Validity of agreement to indemnify against liability for negligence relative to
construction, alteration, improvement, etc., of structure or improvement attached to real
estate…) then, in the event of liability for damages arising out of bodily injury to persons
or damages to property caused by or resulting from the concurrent negligence of the
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Consultant and the City, its officers, officials, employees and volunteers, Consultant’s
liability shall be only to the extent of Consultant’s negligence.
It is further specifically and expressly understood that the indemnification provided in
this Agreement constitute Consultant’s waiver of immunity under the Industri al
Insurance Act, RCW Title 51, solely for the purposes of this indemnification. The Parties
have mutually negotiated and agreed to this waiver. The provisions of this section shall
survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement.
11. Gifts and Conflicts: The City’s Code of Ethics and Washington State law prohibit City
employees from soliciting, accepting, or receiving any gift, gratuity or favor from any
person, firm or corporation involved in a contract or transaction. To ensure compliance
with the City’s Code of Ethics and state law, the Consultant shall not give a gift of any kind
to City employees or officials. Consultant also confirms that Consultant does not have a
business interest or a close family relationship with any City officer or employee who was,
is, or will be involved in selecting the Consultant, negotiating or administering this
Agreement, or evaluating the Consultant’s performance of the Work.
12. City of Renton Business License: The Consultant shall obtain a City of Renton Business
License prior to performing any Work and maintain the business license in good standing
throughout the term of this agreement with the City.
Information regarding acquiring a city business license can be found at:
http://www.rentonwa.gov/cms/One.aspx?portalId=7922741&pageId=9824882
Information regarding State business licensing requirements can be found at:
http://dor.wa.gov/doing-business/register-my-business
13. Insurance: Consultant shall secure and maintain:
A. Commercial general liability insurance in the minimum amounts of $1,000,000 for
each occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate for the Term of this Agreement.
B. In the event that Work delivered pursuant to this Agreement either directly or
indirectly involve or require Professional Services, Professional Liability, Errors and
Omissions coverage shall be provided with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per
occurrence. "Professional Services", for the purpose of this section, shall mean any
Work provided by a licensed professional or Work that requires a professional
standard of care.
C. Workers’ compensation coverage, as required by the Industrial Insurance laws of the
State of Washington, shall also be secured.
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D. Commercial Automobile Liability for owned, leased, hired or non-owned, leased, hired
or non-owned, with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence combined single
limit, if there will be any use of Consultant’s vehicles on the City’s Pr emises by or on
behalf of the City, beyond normal commutes.
E. Consultant shall name the City as an Additional Insured on its commercial general
liability policy on a non-contributory primary basis. The City’s insurance policies shall
not be a source for payment of any Consultant liability, nor shall the maintenance of
any insurance required by this Agreement be construed to limit the liability of
Consultant to the coverage provided by such insurance or otherwise limit the City’s
recourse to any remedy available at law or in equity.
F. Subject to the City’s review and acceptance, a certificate of insurance showing the
proper endorsements, shall be delivered to the City before performing the Work.
G. Consultant shall provide the City with written notice of any policy cancellation, within
two (2) business days of their receipt of such notice.
14. Delays: Consultant is not responsible for delays caused by factors beyond the
Consultant’s reasonable control. When such delays beyond the Consultant’s reasonable
control occur, the City agrees the Consultant is not responsible for damages, nor shall the
Consultant be deemed to be in default of the Agreement.
15. Successors and Assigns: Neither the City nor the Consultant shall assign, transfer or
encumber any rights, duties or interests accruing from this Agreement without the
written consent of the other.
16. Notices: Any notice required under this Agreement will be in writing, addressed to the
appropriate party at the address which appears below (as modified in writing from time
to time by such party), and given personally, by registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested, by facsimile or by nationally recognized overnight courier service. Time period
for notices shall be deemed to have commenced upon the date of receipt, EXCEPT
facsimile delivery will be deemed to have commenced on the first business day following
transmission. Email and telephone may be used for purposes of admin istering the
Agreement, but should not be used to give any formal notice required by the Agreement.
CITY OF RENTON
C.E. “Chip” Vincent
CED Administrator
1055 South Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057
CONSULTANT
Menka Soni
Ravishing Women
11878 175th Pl NE
Redmond, WA 98052
PAGE 7 OF 11
Phone: (425) 430-6588
cvincent@rentonwa.gov
Fax: (425) 430-7300
Phone: (425) 418-7181
Soni_menka@hotmail.com
17. Discrimination Prohibited: Except to the extent permitted by a bona fide occupational
qualification, the Consultant agrees as follows:
A. Consultant, and Consultant’s agents, employees, representatives, and volunteers
with regard to the Work performed or to be performed under this Agreement, shall
not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, nationality, creed, marital
status, sexual orientation or preference, age (except minimum age and retirement
provisions), honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any
sensory, mental or physical handicap, unless based upon a bona fide occupational
qualification in relationship to hiring and employment, in employment or application
for employment, the administration of the delivery of Work or any other benefits
under this Agreement, or procurement of materials or supplies.
B. The Consultant will take affirmative action to insure that applicants are employed and
that employees are treated during employment without regard to their race, creed,
color, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, physical, sensory or mental
handicaps, or marital status. Such action shall include, but not be limited to the
following employment, upgrading, demotion or transfer, recruitment or recruitment
advertising, layoff or termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation and
selection for training.
C. If the Consultant fails to comply with any of this Agreement’s non -discrimination
provisions, the City shall have the right, at its option, to cancel the Agreement in
whole or in part.
D. The Consultant is responsible to be aware of and in compliance with all federal, state
and local laws and regulations that may affect the satisfactory completion of the
project, which includes but is not limited to fair labor laws, worker's compensation,
and Title VI of the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, and will comply with City of Renton
Council Resolution Number 4085.
18. Miscellaneous: The parties hereby acknowledge:
A. The City is not responsible to train or provide training for Consultant.
B. Consultant will not be reimbursed for job related expenses except to the extent
specifically agreed within the attached exhibits.
C. Consultant shall furnish all tools and/or materials necessary to perform the Work
except to the extent specifically agreed within the attached exhibits.
PAGE 8 OF 11
D. In the event special training, licensing, or certification is required for Consultant to
provide Work he/she will acquire or maintain such at his/her own expense and, if
Consultant employs, sub-contracts, or otherwise assigns the responsibility to perform
the Work, said employee/sub-contractor/assignee will acquire and or maintain such
training, licensing, or certification.
E. This is a non-exclusive agreement and Consultant is free to provide his/her Work to
other entities, so long as there is no interruption or interference with the provision of
Work called for in this Agreement.
F. Consultant is responsible for his/her own insurance, including, but not limited to
health insurance.
G. Consultant is responsible for his/her own Worker’s Compensation coverage as wel l as
that for any persons employed by the Consultant.
A. Report on Execution of Services
a. The Recipient shall submit a report on services and work provided with the
final invoice, no later than December 30, 2021. This report should be no longer
than five pages, excluding budget detail, and should follow the outline below:
i. Summarize the activities undertaken in providing the scope of work
described in Exhibit A.
ii. Reference the project objectives specified in Exhibit A. Were those
objectives achieved? Why or why not? Were there any unexpected
positive outcomes or challenges?
iii. Reference the specific measurable results specified in Exhibit A. Were
they achieved? If not, what challenges prevented the achievement of
the anticipated results?
iv. Describe involvement of any partners specified in Exhibit A, as well as
any unexpected cooperative relationships that developed through
implementation of the project.
v. Reference the project budget specified in the Exhibit A. Provide an
analysis of actual expenses and income in relation to the projected
budget.
vi. Provide a good faith best-estimate of actual attendance generated by
the scope of work in the three categories below:
1. Travelers staying overnight in paid accommodations away from
their place of residence or business;
2. Travelers staying overnight in unpaid accommodations (e.g.,
with friends and family) and traveling more than 50 miles;
3. Travelers for the day only and traveling more than 50 miles.
PAGE 9 OF 11
4. Describe the methodologies used to arrive at the good faith
estimate of actual attendance numbers described above.
19. Other Provisions:
A. Approval Authority. Each individual executing this Agreement on behalf of the City
and Consultant represents and warrants that such individuals are duly authorized to
execute and deliver this Agreement on behalf of the City or Consultant.
B. General Administration and Management. The City’s project manager is Jessie
Kotarski. In providing Work, Consultant shall coordinate with the City’s contract
manager or his/her designee.
C. Amendment and Modification. This Agreement may be amended only by an
instrument in writing, duly executed by both Parties.
D. Conflicts. In the event of any inconsistencies between Consultant proposals and this
Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail. Any exhibits/attachments to
this Agreement are incorporated by reference only to the extent of the purpose for
which they are referenced within this Agreement. To the extent a Consultant
prepared exhibit conflicts with the terms in the body of this Agreement or contains
terms that are extraneous to the purpose for which it is referenced, the terms in the
body of this Agreement shall prevail and the extraneous terms shall not be
incorporated herein.
E. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be made in and shall be governed by and
interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington and the City of
Renton. Consultant and all of the Consultant’s employees shall perform the Work in
accordance with all applicable federal, state, county and city laws, codes and
ordinances.
F. Joint Drafting Effort. This Agreement shall be considered for all purposes as prepared
by the joint efforts of the Parties and shall not be construed against one party or the
other as a result of the preparation, substitution, submission or other event of
negotiation, drafting or execution.
G. Jurisdiction and Venue. Any lawsuit or legal action brought by any party to enforce or
interpret this Agreement or any of its terms or covenants shall be brought in the King
County Superior Court for the State of Washington at the Maleng Regional Justice
Center in Kent, King County, Washington, or its replacement or successor. Consultant
hereby expressly consents to the personal and exclusive jurisdiction and venue of
such court even if Consultant is a foreign corporation not registered with the State of
Washington.
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H. Severability. A court of competent jurisdiction’s determination that any provision or
part of this Agreement is illegal or unenforceable shall not cancel or invalidate the
remainder of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.
I. Sole and Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the
Parties and any representations or understandings, whether oral or written, not
incorporated are excluded.
J. Time is of the Essence. Time is of the essence of this Agreement and each and all of
its provisions in which performance is a factor. Adherence to completion dates set
forth in the description of the Work is essential to the Consultant’s performance of
this Agreement.
K. Third-Party Beneficiaries. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to, nor shall be
construed to give any rights or benefits in the Agreement to anyone other than the
Parties, and all duties and responsibilities undertaken pursuant to this Agreement will
be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Parties and no one else.
L. Binding Effect. The Parties each bind themselves, their partners, successors, assigns,
and legal representatives to the other party to this Agreement, and to the partners,
successors, assigns, and legal representatives of such other party with respect to all
covenants of the Agreement.
M. Waivers. All waivers shall be in writing and signed by the waiving party. Either party’s
failure to enforce any provision of this Agreement shall not be a waiver and shall not
prevent either the City or Consultant from enforcing that provision or any other
provision of this Agreement in the future. Waiver of breach of any provision of this
Agreement shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any prior or subsequent breach
unless it is expressly waived in writing.
N. Counterparts. The Parties may execute this Agreement in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, and all of which will together
constitute this one Agreement.
12-10-2021
Approved by Patrice Kent via 11/30/2021 email
12/1/2020 EXHIBIT A
https://visitrentonwa.com/?gf_page=print-entry&fid=5&lid=600¬es=1 1/3
2021 Lodging Tax Grant Application : Entry # 2021 Lodging Tax Grant Application : Entry # 600600
Today's Date
11/30/2020
Project or Event Title
North America Fashion week
Name of your Organization
AMpowering (Formerly Ravishing Women)
Contact Person and Title
Menka Soni, President
Organization Address
11878 175th PL NE Redmond
REDMOND, WA 98052
United States
Map It
Phone
(142) 541-8718
Contact person email address
soni_menka@hotmail.com
Type of Organization
Non-Profit
Has your organization previously received a Lodging Tax Grant from the City of Renton?
Yes
Which type of category your project falls under per RCW 67.28.1816?
Special event or festival
Funding Amount
20000
Project Summary
Please see addendum
Project scope of work
12/1/2020 Print Preview : 2021 Lodging Tax Grant Application : Entry # 600
https://visitrentonwa.com/?gf_page=print-entry&fid=5&lid=600¬es=1 2/3
2021 Lodging Tax Grant Application : Entry # 2021 Lodging Tax Grant Application : Entry # 600600
Please see addendum
List the beginning and ending date of your project
Aug 1 - Aug 31
What's your plan to encourage more overnight stays in Renton hotels to replenish the hotel/motel lodging tax fund? How
specifically will you measure if people travel more than 50 miles or stay overnight?
Please see addendum
Attendance
What isWhat is
youryour
predictedpredicted
overalloverall
attendance?attendance?
Of your totalOf your total
attendance, howattendance, how
many do you predictmany do you predict
will travel over 50will travel over 50
miles?miles?
Of your overall attendance,Of your overall attendance,
how many do you predicthow many do you predict
will be from out of state ORwill be from out of state OR
out of country?out of country?
Of your overallOf your overall
attendance, howattendance, how
many will pay formany will pay for
overnight lodging?overnight lodging?
Of your overallOf your overall
attendance, howattendance, how
many will NOT paymany will NOT pay
for overnightfor overnight
lodging?lodging?
2500 500 150 100 2400
Budget
Budget1.xlsx
Application Certification
I agree to the privacy policy.
I understand the City of Renton and Washington state limitations placed on use of Lodging Tax funds and certify that the
requested funds will be used only for the purposes described in this application or as approved by the City Council. I understand
use of funds is subject to audit by the State of Washington. I have read and understand the criteria by which our application will be
evaluated and understand that if our application is selected for funding, we will be required to enter into a binding agreement with
the City to ensure completion of the project
Name
Menka Soni
Certification
I certify that my statements are true and have approval from my board/agency to apply for this grant.
I have read and understand the City of Renton Grant Guidelines and will provide all documentation requested by the City in
support of this application.
I consent to having this website store my submitted information to process this grant application.
Upload any supporting documentation, including proof of insurance and your IRS determination letter if not previously
provided to the City of Renton. Refer to the 2021 Grant Guidelines for a full list of documents required to be submitted with
your application.
AddendemLTAC.docx
Budget NAFW 2021
Expense From Grant
Venue 18,000 15000
Marketing 4000 5000
Printing 1000
Travel Expneses for artsits 10000
Hotel Stay and food 5000
Lights, Sound etc 5000
43,000 20,000
Revenue
Sponsorship 15000
Grant 20000
Corporate Matching 10000
Tickets 5000
50000
Artist Bios (200 words)
Neeta Lulla - Neeta Lulla is an Indian costume designer and fashion stylist who has worked on over 300 films.
She has been designing wedding dresses since 1985. Her name became inseparably associated with Bollywood
after actresses Aishwarya Rai and Madhuri Dixit wore her costumes in Devdas (2002 Hindi film), the trend-
setting Bollywood film.
Rohit Verma - As a renowned international fashion designer Rohit Verma has mesmerized audiences with his
intricate traditional designs showcasing India’s heritage. His outstanding accomplishments in the industry have
earned him several honors as a leading fashion designer.
Prashant Verma was trained at the fashion houses of Alexander McQueen, Philip Treacy and John Galliano.
A graduate of the National Institute of Fashion Technology(NIFT), New Delhi, he set up his eponymous label
in 2006, and has been presenting his collections at the FDCI Lotus Make Up India Fashion Week. His work
has been extensively featured in Federico Roca’s book on “Contemporary Indian Fashion” (Damiani
Publications, Milan 2009), and most recently in Martina Rink’s tribute book, “Isabella Blow” (Thames &
Hudson, London 2010). In 2011, his collections were presented at the "Alchemy Festival", London as part
of the British Council Worldwide Initiative. In 2011, his work was also featured in the "INDIA
TODAY"Art & Design Exhibition at the ARKEN Museum of Modern Art in Denmark.
Veronica Lynn Harper is a multidisciplinary artist with 11 years in the game and film industry. She is a
lover of nature and empathy. Veronica's art evokes peace, connection, and femininity. She travels
internationally to paint live, demo, and host workshops at festivals, conventions, and events: such as
leading international Fashion Shows, Comic Cons, Sundance, Envision Festival, Lightning in a Bottle,
Ted Talks, GDC, Siggraph and various nature conservation, women’s, family non-profits. She creates
from her home studio surrounded by the lush forests of Seattle, Washington USA.
Shazzy Collections – Renton based African American designer.
Organization Bio
AmPowering (Formerly known as Ravishing Women) is a 501c(3) organization working with mission to
Encourage, Inspire, Appreciate and Empower Women. North America Fashion Week (NAFW) organized by
Ravishing Women is one of the biggest fashion week in the North West and it is a reputed brand bringing
designers all over the world together and promote diversity, arts, multiculturalism, tourism using fashion as a
tool. It promotes sustainable environment and impact fashion is making to the world to uplift humanity.
Ravishing Women is a well-known name for promoting cultural events like Festival of Color, Festival of
Harvest, Festival of Light, Global Women Leadership awards and many more events attended by thousands of
people every year. The award-winning Ravishing Women already has a reputation for transforming so many
lives both here in the United States as well as India. With a focus on inner beauty, bringing attention to outer
beauty through fashion is the obvious next steps.
What is North America Fashion week?
It is one-of-a-kind event designed to bring Fashion industry, which will initiate an active partnership and
collaboration of communities in Arts & Culture field (media, celebrities, industry professionals, innovative
designers showcasing inclusion & diversity) with business. We will be having some biggest names of the
Fashion Industry on board with us. It will be a great opportunity for local designers to learn, explore and
promote their arts at global level. NAFW is a unique melting point for premium fashion labels from across the
world to come together and explore an extremely high potential, yet largely under explored market in the US.
NAFW is an extravagant, carefully curated, collaborative platform for designers and models, HMUA,
photographers, performers & musicians defying all cultural and geographical barriers.
Core values: Multiculturalism and Diversity.
Goals:
•Create an ongoing runway to celebrates multiculturalism and emerging talent and bring collections from
streetwear to eco-friendly garments. For 2020 runway show it was highlighted on Wearable Art on Masks
and promote usage of masks for everyone’s safety.
•Identify undiscovered designers by providing an accessible and widely reputable platform. Help promote
local businesses and designers and train them to use e-commerce. Provide e-commerce platform to use sell
their products and services.
Provide opportunity for performers, dance group, musicians to perform at the event to celebrate arts and
culture.
•Involve international media coverage
•Ensure cogent buyer connectivity to expose local & international designers into the next stages of success.
•Help bridge the community gap and promote cultural awareness by using fashion as a tool
•Make Renton city a fashion industry hotspot like nearby cities (hosting Bellevue Fashion week, Seattle
Fashion Week, Portland Fashion Week, Vancouver Fashion week and more).
Highlights of North America Fashion Week 2021
•The idea of NAFW 2021 is to celebrate arts, culture and combine it with fashion to bring wearable art on
masks and designs. It will give opportunity to not only promote arts, but also create awareness of safety and
precautions to be taken during pandemic. It will help local designers and Renton community.
It will bring the elite labels together and introduce them to a new and ripe market, which is brimming with
anticipation and potential.
•It is going to be a haven of inspiration, complete with glossy online fashion shows, buzzing online trade
shows with never before seen collections, media events, mind opening panel discussions, and educational
seminars and workshops et al. We have on board with us a pool of buyers, high end press and every industry
professional that matters in the spectrum.
•At NAFW, we intend to showcase all the events around a wide range of topics from Fashion Forecasting
(trends & colors), Styling & Grooming, Accessories, Textiles, et al. to Fashion Awareness, Body Positivity,
Sustainability and Vegan Fashion since we recognize NAFW as a well-primed step in supporting the fast
growing fashion industry in Seattle.
•Every year renowned International Celebrity & A Listed Designers participate in this event and this year we
will have their gracious presence during the virtual event.
•Event to be attended by Miss America, Ms. World, Ms. Asia WA, Miss India USA queens.
•Other local Renton based multicultural designers of clothing & jewelry to showcase their designs on the
runway.
•Use fashion a reason to support women empowerment & protect violence against women as well as help our
vulnerable communities during COVID impact. The show will benefit non-profit organizations API Chaya &
Ampowering both 501c (3) non-profits.
Project Feasibility Description of Proposed Project
NAFW is a great platform to not only promote tourism and commerce but also arts and multiculturalism. The
idea of NAFW 2021 is to celebrate arts, culture and combine it with fashion to bring wearable art on masks
and designs. It will give opportunity to not only promote arts, but also create awareness of safety and
precautions to be taken during pandemic. There will be other designs too to highlight the new world of
Fashion. It will help local designers, businesses, and City of Renton community. It will bring the elite labels
together and introduce them to a new and ripe market, which is brimming with anticipation and potential. The
event is also hosting an online trunk show and Exhibit - an opportunity to stock, showcase and merchandise to
B2B and B2C buyers, along with enriching workshops and fashion seminars.
There will be multicultural performances and virtual/ live musicians to celebrate diversity together. It is very
important to have celebrations during time of pandemic as mental health, community engagement is getting
compromised due to COVID and post COVID too we will need some entertainment and need to promote
tourism more. .
Ravishing Women team has always encouraged artists and their art forms. Be it dance groups, singers,
musicians, painting artists, designers, hair & makeup artists. Their all events always celebrate multiculturalism.
They have provided a launch pad for many artists and it is indeed a great feeling to see them grow.
Through NAFW various designers from City of Renton as well as different part of the world will be able to
bring their cultural presence in form of art and designs. They all represent their traditions, history, textile, and
fashion. This will indeed enrich lives of City of Renton residents and visitors. It will Identify undiscovered
designers by providing an accessible and widely reputable platform. Help promote local businesses and
designers and train them to use e-commerce. There will be an opportunity to provide and use e-commerce
platform to use sell their products and services.
With our objective to engage local designers, businesses, and diverse community, we will be able to bring rays
of hope, spread joy and show positivity during this pandemic. This will also help bridge the community gap
and promote cultural awareness by using fashion as a tool.
The diversity of Fashion Week programming and the dialog exchange will help amplify Renton’s reputation
for design on an international scale while continuing to attract the attention of new audiences and growing the
fashion industry through career-development
The Founder & CEO of NAFW is Menka Soni and she is also Inclusion Task Force member with City of
Renton Mayor and has deep rooted interest in promoting Inclusion & Diversity while keeping art as pivot
point. She is always playing key role in Renton Multicultural festival and bringing performances with social
impact and positive messages. She is playing active role in promoting Renton Census count and is much
respected by all in the City.
Although New York and Paris are known for their fashion design the world has so much to offer outside of
these cities. Menka felt showcasing the rich culture the United States is known for, would bring a sense of
community and togetherness and taking all of this multiculturalism and doing something artistic with it while
helping vulnerable communities suffering due to COVID. Maybe we could bring reality to what is happening
outside our own backdoor.
Promotions and Marketing Plan
This event will be promoted using social media, bloggers, website, printed flyers, paid ads on local TV &
radio, newsletter and newspaper. We plan to use 360 degree marketing plan to cover various aspects of
marketing.
The event will also be attended by an extensive list of buyers, press, including glossy magazines,
newspapers, stylists, high profile fashion bloggers and trade press.
Include the estimated attendance.
As this is going to be virtual 4-day event with different designers’ runway, workshop, seminars and
media night, therefore there will be a big opportunity for people to join worldwide and promote tourism
at a much higher level. Estimated audience will be over 2000 in all 4 days. During the 4 days of the
power packed event – labels gets several opportunities for long term associations and serious
networking, apart from instant sales.
Describe your history and relationship with any additional
organizations or individuals involved with your project.
DSA Solutions will be our brand promoting & media partner. They were our partners in 2019 too.
ATV Chanel will be our media channel promoters and will be covering this event. They were our partners
in 2019 too.
Meylah and Women in Cloud organization will be our e-commerce partners to provide trainings and
ecommerce platform to sell products.
Suley Era will be our media partners.
Letters of Support (if applicable) from partnering organizations/collaborators – We have
received Letter from Consul General of India in 2019 and we will be receiving the same for 2020.
Artistic Quality Work Samples
https://www.facebook.com/nafashionweek/
www.northamericafashionweek.com
www.ravishingwomen.org