The corset, sexy and slimming to the female figure, is one of the hottest fashion trends to re-emerge in the past several years.

Bill Wade, Post-Gazette A Libby Ashworth corset inspired by Sudanese Dinka tribal dress is modeled by Louis Allen of the Utopia Model Agency. Click photo for larger image. Benefit fashion show Proceeds benefit the soon-to-be-built African American Cultural Center. A VIP reception and exhibit tour begins at 5 p.m. next Sunday, while the fashion show starts at 7, and an after-party begins at 8. Admission packages are $20, $50 and $75 at 412-394-3353 or online at www.proartstickets.org.

But corsets also are a traditional accessory among men in African nations such as the Sudan. Designer Libby Ashworth has created several designs for men and women for the fourth annual Fashion Africana.

Fashion Africana was created by Utopia Model Agency to celebrate the beauty and diversity of the African diaspora through Africa-inspired fashion, design, dance and music. The African American Cultural Center is presenting this year's event in collaboration with the Carnegie Museum of Art and the 2004 Carnegie International.

This year's show pays tribute to the 3,000 "lost boys of Sudan" who journeyed from the war-torn African region to American shores. It will take place in the grand foyer of the museum Music Hall.

Ashworth, owner of Spellbound Corsetry, created a boned man's corset embellished with horn, hand-painted beads, grommets, antique African trade beads, cowrie shells, feathers, shearling and leather. The Shadyside designer has been making custom-fitted corsets and corset-inspired fashions for 15 years and sells them to department stores, boutiques and private customers.

Ashworth has reinterpreted a Sudanese Dinka tribal corset for the show.

"I have been inspired to use new materials in my work, as well as incorporate my old favorite-found objects," she said. "I've used over 4,000 beads to create this one-of-a-kind corset."

Other designers and stores who will participate in the show are Janis Burley Wilson, Montie Cholmley-Jones, Zoe Collins, Thommy Conroy, Vanessa German, Jamil's, Karen Page, Steven Radney, Mary Margaret Stewart of Iman B, Omo Misha and Xenobia Bailey of Harlem and Nadia Chebah of Paris.

	Bill Wade, Post-Gazette A mud cloth and leather corset designed by Libby Ashworth will be modeled at the Fashion Africana event next Sunday. Click photo for larger image.

The show finale will feature a wedding gown by African-American bridal designer Therez Fleetwood, who designs bridalwear that combines African fabrics and regional influences with European cuts and silhouettes. She also created the first Afrocentric outfits for Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse at Disney World and has written an Afrocentric style guide for brides.

"Our society is a melting pot of various cultures, but for a long time brides wore traditional wedding dresses that did not represent their diversity," said Fleetwood. "My gowns bring together different cultures in a way that is very fashion-forward."

The event will feature performances by the Pittsburgh Dance Ensemble, Xpressions Contemporary Dance Co. and Afrika Yetu. Monique Greenwood, an author and former editor of Essence magazine, will be a special guest.

Fashion Africana drew nearly 600 attendees last year, said Demeatria Gibson and Darnell McLaurin, Utopia's owners and the show's producers. They expect to meet the capacity of 670 this year.

"There are a lot of cultural things taking place in our city," said Gibson. "I think Fashion Africana appeals to a broad audience because of the various components to the event. And it's lively; it's more than just a fashion show. It's like a global celebration."

Gibson added that 37 Sudanese young men who were resettled in Pittsburgh in 2001 through the efforts of Pittsburgh Catholic Charities have been invited to the show.