We believe that fashion can be exciting, awe-inspiring, and can positively influence someone’s life (and wardrobe). When people attend runway shows, they often leave feeling motivated to do the exact same thing ~ be exciting, awe-inspiring, and positively impact the life of another. Since 2008, we’ve encouraged attendees at our runway show to do just that!

The 2016 beneficiaries of Tampa Bay Fashion Week are PACE Pinellas and Dress for Success. Both nonprofit organizations have unique goals and  positively contribute to and impact our community. In their honor, we will be hosting two separate drives and we invite you to participate. Learn more about these wonderful organizations!

PACE Pinellas focuses their attention on girls ages 11-17 who have histories of abuse, unhealthy relationships, and are exposed to a wide range of serious risks. Through research-based recommendations, which called for gender responsive programming, PACE gives these young girls the skills necessary to lead productive lives as leaders, mentors, role models, successful business professionals and positive forces for change. An alternative to the institutionalization or incarceration of girls, we support their mission and goals and have made a way for you all to as well!

We will be hosting a Supplies & Toiletries Drive at our Fri, Sept. 23 runway show from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m for PACE Pinellas. If you bring new supplies and toiletries, you will receive a Tampa Bay Fashion Week stamped and approved swag bag of goodies from our sponsors, designers, & more! All items given will be used to help PACE Pinellas.

On our second runway show day, Sat, Sept. 24, we will be hosting a Purse Drive for Dress for Success from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dress for Success believes every woman has the right to realize her full potential and achieve financial independence. So they work empower women by providing a network of support, professional attire and development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. We all know when we feel good, it makes a world of difference! So if you would like to support Dress for Success, please bring new or gently used purses to the Purse Drive. In return, you’ll also receive the stamped and approved by Fashion Week Tampa Bay swag bag that’s filled with our sponsors and designers goodies.

We also ask that you tell all of your friends so we can have the best possible turnout for these organizations and be a positive influence for our communities.

Hope to see you all there!

~Stylista Jessica