In honor of President Barack Obama’s 100,000 Strong in the Americas initiative, which focuses on dramatically increasing educational exchanges between the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean, four Peruvian students studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology were invited to showcase their work on statuesque pedestals dotting the residence’s lovely garden landscape. Student designs by Mayra Vidaurrevega, Micaela Orellana, and Sen Carlos Zerpa Morioka drew admiring crowds munching on Peruvian savory bites from Peruvian Brothers, Del Campo and Sardi’s Manassas while Cristina Gonzales, a photography student, snapped away in her own artistic medium.

The main event featured renowned Peruvian designer, Sergio Davila, who glided through the crowds easily in one of his signature pastel Lima-chic fitted suits. Sergio is quickly making his mark on the American fashion scene and was the first Peruvian to ever showcase at New York Fashion Week.

Prior to the show, master of ceremonies, Frances Holuba from the White House, presented the four FIT Peruvian students, who took their first steps on a professional fashion show catwalk. Guests then heard from Juan Luis Reus, Director of Peru Trade, Tourism and Investment Office in Washington, DC. – MINCETUR as well as Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Roberta Jacobson who was recently nominated by President Obama, to become the new U.S. ambassador to Mexico. Ambassador Luis Miguel Castilla of Peru gave warm welcoming remarks, highlighting the increased engagement in recent months between the United States and Peru.

The fashion show is part of a year-long celebration of the vibrancy, history and biodiversity of Peru in Washington, D.C. It includes the public debut of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s newest Andean bear cubs, the opening of “The Great Inka Road: Engineering an Empire” exhibition at the National Museum of the American Indian and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

Thank you to our sponsors: TAA PR, Amtrak, Piscura, Peruvian Brothers, Del Campo, Sardi’s Manassas, Firenzes Gelateria, Macchu Pisco, Cusqueña Beer, American Summits Water, Washington Hispanic, Vithaya Phongsavan, Marcus Bennett, Mark Kanawati

In honor of President Barack Obama’s 100,000 Strong in the Americas initiative, which focuses on dramatically increasing educational exchanges between the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean, four Peruvian students studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology were invited to showcase their work on statuesque pedestals dotting the residence’s lovely garden landscape. Student designs by Mayra Vidaurrevega, Micaela Orellana, and Sen Carlos Zerpa Morioka drew admiring crowds munching on Peruvian savory bites from Peruvian Brothers, Del Campo and Sardi’s Manassas while Cristina Gonzales, a photography student, snapped away in her own artistic medium.

The main event featured renowned Peruvian designer, Sergio Davila, who glided through the crowds easily in one of his signature pastel Lima-chic fitted suits. Sergio is quickly making his mark on the American fashion scene and was the first Peruvian to ever showcase at New York Fashion Week.

Prior to the show, master of ceremonies, Frances Holuba from the White House, presented the four FIT Peruvian students, who took their first steps on a professional fashion show catwalk. Guests then heard from Juan Luis Reus, Director of Peru Trade, Tourism and Investment Office in Washington, DC. – MINCETUR as well as Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Roberta Jacobson who was recently nominated by President Obama, to become the new U.S. ambassador to Mexico. Ambassador Luis Miguel Castilla of Peru gave warm welcoming remarks, highlighting the increased engagement in recent months between the United States and Peru.

The fashion show is part of a year-long celebration of the vibrancy, history and biodiversity of Peru in Washington, D.C. It includes the public debut of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s newest Andean bear cubs, the opening of “The Great Inka Road: Engineering an Empire” exhibition at the National Museum of the American Indian and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

Thank you to our sponsors: TAA PR, Amtrak, Piscura, Peruvian Brothers, Del Campo, Sardi’s Manassas, Firenzes Gelateria, Macchu Pisco, Cusqueña Beer, American Summits Water, Washington Hispanic, Vithaya Phongsavan, Marcus Bennett, Mark Kanawati