Out on the Scene: Fashion for Action

Photos courtesy of Housing Works

We love to shop. But we love to shop even more when we are furthering a good [gay] cause.

Last night was the kick-off party for Housing Work's Fashion for Action, a sample sale featuring more then a million dollars in designer merchandise at 50-70% off, open to the public November 14-16 at the Chelsea Thrift Shop, 143 West 17th street. This year's benefit is hosted by Marc Jacobs and with his help they hope to raise more then $500,000 for homeless people living with HIV and AIDS in New York City.

Helping to usher in attendance to the shop-a-thon were a handful of big industry names, proving that the fashionable not only know where to shop for deals, but also realize the necessity in helping Housing Work's fight against HIV/AIDS. Among the rack-raiders were top models Ermina Cunmulaj and Ana Mihajlovic, designers John Bartlett (pictured) and Steven Alan, and Miss New York Leigh Taylor-Smith who buddied up with Legally Blonde Broadway star Kate Shindle (pictured).

As we said, the event is on for two more days, and there are still loads of clothes left from the extensive list of designer donors, meaning more deals and more potential for spotting VIPs. For more information on Housing Works, complete event details and a full list of participating designers check out the Housing Works website.

-- SETH PLATTNER