Hilltop business owner and clothing designer Nathalie Bejinya is preparing to host a fashion show on Saturday, Oct. 29, that she is inviting everyone to come and attend. It will be held at the Steilacoom Community Center, 2301 Worthington St. in Steilacoom, 5-8 p.m., and will feature culturally inspired food and drink, entertainment, a live auction and the opportunity to see a fine collection of her one-of-a-kind couture fashions with an African flair.
“We’re going to be showing amazing outfits and we will have an auction – beautiful couture coats and dresses,” Bejinya said.
Bejinya, who works from her Hilltop shop Undeniable Bejinya, will be donating 20 percent of proceeds from her show to Sisters of the Good Shepherd in support of those displaced by the Democratic Republic of the Congo volcano tragedy in May 2021.
“As a refugee myself, I appreciate the need of these folks from my former homeland and feel blessed to offer this gift,”Bejinya said.
Bejinya is going through many struggles to keep her Hilltop business open. She said she is constantly harassed by street people who defecate and urinate in front of the door, threaten her and steal from her. Last February, her store window was broken and her business was robbed.
Thousands of dollars in orders for customers were stolen as was $12,000 worth of special fabrics. The damage to the property was also substantial. Then in June, thieves broke into her storage unit and took everything including expensive sewing equipment. A fundraiser for her has been set up at gofundme.com/f/help-nathalie-fix-her-stores-window.
“I am graced with a community who has supported me and my fashion design business through hardships and growth,” she said, but she is still trying to survive the blows to her business.
“I cannot go to my shop by myself because of the homeless. It’s happening all the time and I don’t know what to do. It is terrifying to see what is happening in my doorway.”
To support Bejinya, RSVP for her fashion show at undeniablebajinya.com/fashion-gala. Visit undeniablebejinya.com to learn more about Bejinya and her custom fashion services.
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