MARTINSBURG — A week to celebrate fashion, faith, creativity and philanthropy has been reestablished in Martinsburg. Originating in Tampa, Florida, Christian Fashion Week kicked off Monday and continues until Saturday’s main event — a fashion show at The Purple Iris beginning at 6 p.m.
The decision to revive the fashion-forward event came eight years after the last one was held in Florida. According to Mayra Gomez, former model and one of the founders of Christian Fashion Week, the event stalemated as a result of unforeseen circumstances, which rendered her unable to continue to put on the event. The reviving of the event was sparked after Gomez met Miss Uganda 1997 Lilian (Acorn) McClung.
Gomez had a fashion show ministry called Model4Jesus, and McClung served as a model through that ministry. “I used to have a ministry called Model4Jesus, and I used to do fundraising fashion shows for organizations that help women,” Gomez said. “Lilian contacted me when I was doing that, and that’s how her and I got to know each other.
” After the two grew into friends, McClung asked to bring the Christian Fashion Week back to life in the Eastern Panhandle. She offered to take on the ownership role for the event but wanted to keep Gomez involved with the event. At first, Gomez was surprised her friend wanted to host the event in West Virginia, but after meeting members of the community, she agreed to help host the event in Martinsburg.
McClung and Gomez share a love and desir.
