Ten area girls participated in the VC Faces "Essence of Spring" fashion show last Saturday, Feb. 22 to the delight of 50 parents and other well-wishers in Little Rocky Run's community center.
VC is Vicki Cristiani, 41, owner and licensed esthetician. Cristiani, of Clifton's Little Rocky Run, has been in the beauty business for more than 20 years. She has lived in Northern Virginia for more than 15 years, before that residing in Montgomery, Ala., and several cities in Ohio.
The show capped off an eight-week VC Faces charm course teaching girls ages 12-18 poise, self-esteem, and beauty care.
The girls included Ashley Brown (Robinson Secondary), Deborah Brownell (Robinson), Sarah Bufano (Robinson), Olivia Campbell (Stone Middle), Flavia Cohen (Robinson), Patricia Garcia (Robinson), Lauren Gross (Stone Middle), Virginia Harsher (Sterling Middle), Christy Nicholas (Centreville High), Amy Sanders (Centreville).
The show also featured music by the Cherry Blossoms String Quartet (Sinbat Siraseranant, Beth Wohlsen, Julia Roderique, and April Maddox) and vocalist Michelle Blake.
As the girls walked down the flower-sprinkled runway, the mothers presented floral bouquets, and fathers and brothers provided an escort. All the girls received special awards, honoring their special qualities and efforts. There were "Sweetest and Most Helpful," "Most Fun," and "Most Improved" for those who had "blossomed into beautiful swans," in Cristiani's words.
Others who contributed to the success of the show are Shawna Gardner at Hair Cuttery at Clifton's Union Mill Colonnade, and Sayda Gonzalez and Mildred Vernon, managers at Fashion Bug on Metrotech Drive in Chantilly. Pam Kennedy, Shelva Rota and Anthony Cristiani assisted with decorations and logistics. "Flowers by Angie" provided floral arrangements and rose and carnation designs. Dan Johnson at "Camera Ready" of Warrenton, Va., was official photographer for the VC Faces classes.
VC Faces will host an Open House for Spring charm classes on Sunday March 9, from 2-5 p.m. in Clifton. Call 703-830-7154.
Cristiani also offers a variety of beauty services by appointment in her in-home salon in Clifton. These include facials and other skin care, body spa treatments, makeup application, waxing and manicure/pedicure. The Dermal Institute of Skincare provided samples of Dermalogica Skincare products to the audience.
Cristiani, whose business motto is "from my heart to my hands," teaches her girls — mostly pre-teen to young teens — that more than what meets the eye, beauty lies within.
She points to Yvonne de Vilar, a Vienna beauty and charm specialist, as her mentor. "She is a true role model, an example of a lady. Very elegant," she says.
With enthusiasm brimming, Cristiani thanked her good friend Barbara Brownell for her motivation and inspiration to start her classes with her daughter Deborah and friends.
All the girls have vastly different personalities and a myriad of interests — everything from dance and babysitting to lacrosse and basketball. Ashley Brown is a Virginia state Junior equestrian champion with Olympic dreams.
"VC Faces teaches girls how to be beautiful inside and out. It's a tough age. Vicki helps the girls feel good about themselves," says Linda Nicholas, 43, of Little Rocky Run. This engineer for the federal government and mother of Centreville High ninth-grader Christy Nicholas, has utilized Cristiani's services for three years.
Christy Nicholas, 14, of Little Rocky Run, says she "likes working with Ms. Cristiani because she is so supportive, and puts all her time and effort into us. I learned so much — from how to select and coordinate outfits to how to walk properly." Nicholas, who participated in the VC Faces classes after utilizing Cristiani's manicure services for several years, found her enjoyment increased with each session. They helped her a great deal with self esteem and beauty care. She still receives positive comments from friends about how she has built her confidence and polished her appearance.
Sue Sanders, 44, of Little Rocky Run, a captain in the U.S. Navy and mother of 14-year-old Amy Sanders, said, "Vicki is completely devoted to these girls, giving significant time and energy."
Describing the effect Cristiani's classes have had on her teenage daughter, Sanders said, "Amy is a sharp girl with a great sense of humor. VC Faces helped give her added poise and confidence."
Cristiani closed her show with pearls of wisdom: "Dare to be different and follow your own star. Don't be afraid to be happy. Enjoy what is beautiful. Love with all your heart and soul!"