San Francisco- She went from "geek" to "chic" in front of millions of rapt viewers and now the stunning Shandi Sullivan, along with castmate April Wilkner from the UPN hit television show, "America's Next Top Model", will strut the catwalks during the first-ever San Francisco Fashion Week, August 26-29 at the Palace of Fine Arts.

This is the San Francisco debut for both girls, who are in high demand on runways across the globe following the success of “America’s Next Top Model”. The hit reality show followed 12 young women for 10 weeks as they competed to succeed in the stressful, high-stakes world of modeling. Supermodel Tyra Banks created the hit show, and led the panel of judges who narrowed the field week to week.

Photos: Shandi Sullivan and April Wilkner

San Francisco Fashion Week promises the infusion of fashion, art, music, culture and style into a week-long series of events put on in a uniquely San Francisco style. In addition to fashion shows, the week also includes a number of swanky after parties featuring highly notable, trend-setting musical talent from around the globe. The popular DJ Jazzy Jeff will kick off San Francisco Fashion Week at the Grand Opening Party on Friday, August 27 at Suede. DJ Kascade from San Francisco’s legendary Om Records will make an appearance along with DJs from the prominent UK House record label Offset Music at Saturday’s party at the W San Francisco Hotel. And there’s also a Pre-Party to jump start the momentum on August 26 at 111 Minna Gallery where live electronic band Uneaq will stir up the energy.

The “Fashion Week Boutique” provides show attendees a chance for instant shopping gratification, featuring 20 vendors daily selling fashions, handbags, scarves, jewelry and beauty products, many of which are regularly seen on the glossy pages of top fashion magazines. Designers hail from New York, Los Angeles and the Bay Area.

New San Francisco Fashion Week sponsors include JetBlue Airways, Kerastase, Joie de Vivre – the Commodore and Phoenix Hotels, Presidio Merchant Partners LLC, Metromint, Spa-Bar, Hair Play, Blush Beauty and top local radio stations Wild 94.9, 106 KMEL and Star 101.3. Previous confirmed sponsors include NARS Cosmetics, Vespa SF, Stonestown Shopping Center, Guess Eyewear, W San Francisco Hotel, Zink Magazine, SF Weekly, San Francisco Magazine, SFStation.com, POM Wonderful, and Offset Music.

Additional promotional support is being provided by media partners Lucire, Metrofashion, Style Industry, Bay Area Business Woman, Le Rage, and Fashion Group International.
 

A percentage of the profits from Fashion Week events will be donated to Dress for Success®, a non-profit organization that helps low-income women make tailored transitions into the workforce.  Dress for Success® provides interview suits and career development training to more than 45,000 women in 79 cities each year.

Additionally, the final San Francisco Fashion Week schedule was announced today, confirming the placement of all 15 participating designers. All shows will take place at The Palace of Fine Arts.