There is a man named Kevin Livingston who decided to gift 100 young men on the streets of New York with suits. He believes that if they see themselves differently, worthy of respect, it will impact their lifestyle. He planted himself and a rack of coats around the corner from a gang hang out, and started talking. It took some convincing that there was no catch. He gradually lured the boys closer to slip their arms into the sleeves, to learn how to tie a tie, to look him in the eyes and shake his hand firmly. 

 

The idea caught on. Celebrities donated from their bursting closets. Others gave money. Kevin has continued, widening the choices of people who had almost none. Hopefully it is a crucial step for those men/boys walking in to an interview. Finding a job can be the bridge from loitering to earning a paycheck. 

 

The whole purpose of the costume collection is to change how wearers see themselves. How others look at them. For five years I helped transform teenagers into mermaids, New York socialites, animals from Narnia. It took a bit of fussing to find the right pieces for each ensemble. 

 

I like that we can choose to put on what we hope to be, and sometimes it truly fits.