Rose from Concrete, Part III : Katrina  

Photography of Liz Starke, Director for Rose Haven, by Melissa Lully, Broken Mirror Beauty  

Follow them here: https://rosehaven.org

Models come up to me at every show and tell me about storms they’ve survived. In Tennessee, it was tornados. In Biloxi, it was hurricanes. She loved that Katrina jacket. An emotional experience. 

“They always put me in gowns, but I’m more of a tomb boy,” she said.

Told me all about hurricane Helene last year that demolished her town in Georgia. Hurricanes never hit us, she said. 

She stayed home during the hurricane with her family, prayed from her balcony. It hit everyone around her, but not their house. 

Photography of Christian-Monet Chanel, by Lynne's Photography,

Pigeon Forge, TN: 5/25. 

August 23^rd, 2005

Hurricane Katrina starts forming off the Gulf Coast. 

In Florida, Governor Jeb Bush declared a state of emergency on August 24^th in advance of Hurricane Katrina’s landfall. On August 28^th, Kartrina was upgraded to a Category 5 storm. The storm finally ended on August 31^st.

It raged through the South, destroying cities, homes, trees, and people in its path.  

The human toll?  Over 1,392 Dead. Disruption, displacement.

An estimated $125 billion spent on repairs, reconstruction.

Over 400,000 people left homeless from one storm.

Photography of Liz Starke, International Heritage FW, NYFW, Sept: 24 

That’s why we asked Liz Starke from Rose Haven in Portland to model our Katrina bomber jacket for Runway 7.

Rose Haven is a Portland Safe Haven. They provide community, support, and love for our neighbors experiencing homelessness and poverty.

We love supporting Rose Haven here in Portland. They're part of the solution. Liz works tirelessly to make change here locally. 

She's a great example of a good human.  Be like Liz! 

P.s: she used to live in Tampa too! 

Are you really moving to Florida? They ask me. 

Have you seen the weather channel?

Yeah and I’ve actually gone through many hurricane seasons with all the time I spent in St. Thomas, VI. Every summer in college working for my aunt who lives there and runs her own business. Every summer, it was hurricane season. 

I’m moving to Tampa, Florida this January 17th! OMG!!! 

It’s the end of an era!... 

Photography of Aria Coronado, by Lynne's Photography at the Hard Rock Cafe

Hello East Coast, it's been a long time coming! 

Our family is actually from the East Coast. Our dad was stationed in the Air Force out west, so we’ve lived in several Western states with his military career. He retired and all of our family is free to relocate back east. 

I also had the opportunity to relocate to our Tampa, Florida office for work. Better for my work, closer to family, friends, Magnifique, the beach....and NYC?

Um, Yes!!

Yes, I know about the hurricanes and yes, my apartment’s above ground level! 

After three and a half years in Washington state, it’s time for the Sunshine State.

Our Katrina Bomber jacket has a digital print of the hurricane on the back. It’s a traditional bomber jacket. The fabric is lightweight, meant for spring or early fall. Or when you live somewhere it doesn’t get too cold… like Florida. 

Bomber jackets also give eco warier vibes.

I always envision an “eco warrior” when I design each piece.

I envision bad ass chicks (like Liz) who stand for something good in the world and make positive change. 

We also turned this Katrina storm print into a dress! Each yard of fabric is made from 13 recycled plastic bottles and 100% sustainable! 

Photography of Chrissy Alexandra, by Lynne's Photography at the Hard Rock Cafe 

Bad ass chicks who push the narrative forward with clothes.