On Nov. 20, Madman Productions presented the eighth edition of Strut, the annual fashion event to acknowledge World AIDS Week and to raise funds for HIV/AIDS organizations.
The 2016 version took place at The Promontory. 5311 S. Lake Park Ave., with portions of the proceeds earmarked for The South Side Help Center and The Village. The event sold out in a matter of days.
As the brain child of producer John Fleming, Strut has continued to spotlight fashion and design work from students from The School of The Art Institute and Columbia College as well as select boutiques. This year's participants included Ingrid R. Yeo, Kelvin Harris Maison de Haj, Chris Carrillo, Bronzeville Boutique, Melissa Carrillo, Kayla Katz, Aaron Myers Kelsey, Iridium Boutique and Kasom Kiwi's Boutique.
After the presentations, Fleming addressed a wildly appreciative audience and said, "You don't hear about AIDS in the news that much anymore, and that's why it is important to keep fighting. AIDS has not gone away and we must continue to reach out to as many people as possible and keep going."
Speakers also included Dr. Chad Zawitz of The Core Center and Elhadji Gueye of Masion de Haj. Music was courtesy of DJ Hugo H. Event sponsors included C.C.H.E., A La Carte Fashion, The University of Chicago's School of Medicine and The South Side Help Center.