Q: What does it mean to be Marvelous? 

1. Connecting art, fashion, family and music with food and beverage in an effort to raise awareness and funds for Autism.
2. Volunteering creative concepts and countless hours/days/weeks/months in an effort to raise awareness and funds for Autism.
3. Bringing together some of the most beautiful, well-rounded people on the planet for a runway fashion show and exhibition marketplace in an effort to raise awareness and funds for Autism.
4. Repeating numbers 1, 2 and 3, only this time in efforts focusing on Down Syndrome.

At Ferro Productions, we firmly believe that all of the above are marvelous, which is why we are especially excited to share with you this story, featuring Saudia Ally, the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of Events for Marvel US Management.  A play-on-words, yes, although there are no games being played by Saudia and Marvel US Mgmt, strictly business.

Marvel US Mgmt is a boutique fashion business management company specializing in brand management, marketing, social media and event design.  Together with American Apothecary, an emerging socially conscious fashion brand that has participated in many philanthropic opportunities which also boasts a plethora of marketing and event management experience, they have established an annual fundraising event series titled “Heart A Cause.”  This year’s focus was Autism Awareness, as Heart A Cause appointed MyGOAL Autism to be the beneficiary for the annual fundraiser.

Before I dive too far into detail about this year’s recent event (which FERRO PRODUCTIONS had the honor and responsibility of covering) let’s talk about Saudia.

Saudia Ally’s career reads something like a Table of Contents featured in a fashion magazine.  From print ads, to designing clothing and handbags, all the way to strutting her stuff on the runway, her resume truly runs the gamut.  So, who better qualified to call herself the Chief Operating Officer for Marvel US Management?  ANSWER: NOBODY.

She shares,“ I have a great perspective on not only the world of fashion, but on the business of fashion.” This may be due to Saudia’s experience working at the corporate level for names such as Ralph Lauren.  She continues, “Ralph Lauren didn’t get to where he is today by himself.  You need a design team, working hand-in-hand with a sales team, working hand-in-hand with a manufacturing team.  Visual team, marketing team, the list goes on.  From drawing board to store shelves, this truly is a BUSINESS.”

The list of heavy hitters in fashion continues, in regards to folks whom Ms. Ally has worked alongside of: Jo Lance, Alexander Chopin, Andrea Matiz, Yolanda Morell, The Nakash Family… the list goes on.  All of Saudia’s experience has absolutely molded her into a master of fashion; both design and business.

As previously mentioned, this year’s Heart A Cause event was geared towards Autism Awareness.  It was indeed a fashionable way to give back, as the event raised over $12,000 in products and donations for MyGOAL Autism, founded by NAACP award recipient, Dr. Genevieve Kumapley.   Those are pretty amazing numbers, but even more amazing is the fact that EVERYONE involved was doing this as a volunteer.  From the models to the food vendors… EVERYONE.   When we asked Saudia if she was surprised that some of the world’s top models were doing this all pro bono, she replied, “ Absolutely not.  There are FAR too many misconceptions about models and the fashion industry.  The models were thrilled to get involved in this event, much like they are with dozens of other charity events each year.”

Saudia Ally and Darius Mayfield

 The old saying “Never judge a book by its cover” is thrown around a lot in everyday conversation.  Could it be that clichés like this one have programmed our minds to believe that if a person is beautiful on the outside than most likely they are ugly on the inside? The Ferro Productions crew covering this event witnessed first hand that that couldn’t be farther from the truth.  These people were truly the perfect balance of inner and outer beauty.

Ferro Productions would like to extend our most sincere THANKS to Saudia Ally, Darius Mayfield, Anastasia Fokina and everyone else involved in this amazing Heart A Cause series.  We at Ferro are excited and honored to play a part in such worthy causes with such amazing and MARVELOUS professionals.  We have already blocked our production calendar for next year’s, focusing on Down Syndrome Awareness!

NOTE: Be sure to check back in mid-Oct for our Video Feature on Marvel US Management and Saudia and also, our Video Feature on the “Heart A Cause” Fashion show event in NYC.
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