The event is open to everyone and will feature live music, mimosas and light hors d’oevres from One World Catering, as well as specialty drinks by Cardinal Distillery beginning at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 with net proceeds to benefit My Sister’s Closet resale store.
Participating shops include: O’Child Children’s Boutique, Andrew Davis, Bluetique, Cactus Flower, Gather, JL Waters, Lola Rue, Relish, Rebecca and Me, Seaview Outfitters, Willow and Rose, Yarns Unlimited, with hair salons Royale Hair Parlor, Do Salon, 10 Salon and Spa and Mardon Salon.
Downtown Bloomington Inc. Executive Director Talisha Coppock said the idea for the fashion show came from fashion shops that wanted to show the variety and quality of clothing and accessories in the downtown area.
“There is no better way to showcase than to see the designs on real people,” Coppock said. “There is something for all ages, tastes and budgets, something that makes our downtown community so friendly.”
Coppock said she hopes the event not only raises money for My Sister’s Closet, but also raises awareness of the organization and promotes the vibrant retail scene in the downtown area.
“I’ve always been a player in the handmade movement here in Bloomington, and the arts, but retail was new to me,” Talia Halliday, owner of the shop Gather, said. “The fashion show was a way to ‘come out’ so to speak in the retail ?community.”
Owner of Seaview Outfitters Steve Thomas said he is excited to see the variety of styles at the show.
“I frequent my few favorite stores, but this is an opportunity to open one’s eyes to new stores and new business owners that we could potentially partner with on future community events,” Thomas said.
Kathy Delaney, owner of Willow and Rose, said she sees the fashion show evolving into a highly anticipated annual staple among Bloomington’s summer ?activities.
“The fashion show is the perfect opportunity for the community to see the great variety of clothing, accessories and hair design offered by local downtown retailers,” Delaney said. “In addition to fashion, entertainment, food and drinks, people who attend will be supporting a wonderful local nonprofit.”
My Sister’s Closet is a nonprofit organization established to provide free work force attire and Success Institute training to low-income and at-risk women pursuing employment. They provide women with professional support services and tools to help them achieve economic self-sufficiency.
Jane Rubeck, Head of Marketing and Public Relations for the Board of Directors of My Sister’s Closet, said they were honored to receive the news that they would be the recipients of a portion of the proceeds of ticket sales from the fashion show.
“Our goal is to empower women of all ages and enable them to hopefully make a difference in the lives of generations of their families to come,” Rubeck said. “Perhaps this is a lofty goal, but if you can alter and enhance the role of a mother in a single-parent household, think of the excellent role model provided for the children.”
Tickets and more information may be found at www.downtownbloomington.com.
