Little Black Dress Magazine

The LBD Event was born of a fashion lover’s desire to celebrate her favorite local designers and give back to the community that had nurtured her. Established in 2002, the organization has turned the ingenuity of more than 100 fashion designers into abundant charitable contributions.

Each year a city is selected; noteworthy area designers are invited to realize their vision of the little black dress; and the results are displayed and auctioned silently at a gala event, with 100 percent of the proceeds going directly to representatives of the designated local charity.

At the end of the evening, the work of one designer is singled out for recognition by attendees’ votes as “the perfect little black dress.” Though New York City designers were fêted in 2004, little black dress aims to shine a spotlight on emerging “alternative” fashion centers like Los Angeles (2002, 2003, 2005) and Manchester, England (2006). Fashionforward cities around the world are currently in consideration for forthcoming events. little black dress’ annual gathering is a rare opportunity for fashion’s most promising talent to mingle with the acclaimed designers who’ve inspired them, and for masters and novices alike to greet their public and see how they respond to their work.

Thus the fashion community—many of whom are known for doing well—come together to do good.