December 9-16, 2004

mixpicks

Good, Giving and Game

by A.D. Amorosi

Fashion Show

Fantasy masquerade and bondage gear don't usually reflect man's more charitable nature. But Kali Morgan, owner/operator of Passional and organizer of the yearly Diabolique Fantasy Masquerade Ball, has been doing little but helpful work. November's Diabolique Ball VIII drew thousands to Shampoo and raised nearly $20,000 for the AIDS Library of Philadelphia and the Youth Health Empowerment Project, plus an additional $1,075 for the Woodhull Freedom Foundation. Yet, along with busying herself with details for Diabolique Ball IX—Cirque Diabolique, set for Nov. 19, 2005—Morgan has organized South Street Fashion Fever 2004 to raise cash for Project H.O.M.E. and the National Alliance To End Homelessness. Refusing to be outdone or outsold by Rittenhouse Row, South Street sells housewares, scooters, fashion-forward clothing while having as many cool galleries (like Zonk) and antiquarians (like Funhouse) as Old City. That's why the Headhouse District has teamed with Morgan to lift the profile of South Street's nearly 400 boutiques, salons, jewelers and artists like Sandy Ramirez (work pictured). Though the promotion is monthlong through the shopping holidays, Saturday's Fashion Fever show at the heated, tented Headhouse kicks it off, with hairstyling and clothing from area shops like Afric Expressions, Europe Moda, Reebok, Erogenous Zone, PASSIONAL, Bella Boutique, C'est La Vie and others set to musical selections by 611 Records shop owner/DJ Nigel Richards.

South Street Fashion Fever 2004 Kick-Off Fashion Show and Reception, Sat., Dec.11, 7-10 p.m., $10 ($5 with donation of a used winter coat), Headhouse Square, Second and Lombard sts., 215-829-4986, www.passional.net/southstreetfever.