LITTLE ROCK — Big-city style - complete with models, runways, parties and paparazzi - came to Northwest Arkansas this year, generating quite a bit of interest.
NWA Fashion Week was cofounded by Jade Terminella and Danielle Vaughan. It was created on behalf of an organic group of designers, boutiques and other market leaders who are committedto creating a vibrant and exciting fashion community in Northwest Arkansas, according to the website.
Terminella says she had been hosting a fashion show at her store, Lola, since 2007, and over the years, she and her colleagues in the business saw the potential for growth.
“We just thought it would be a cool idea to bring everybody together under one platform under ‘Fashion for Philanthropy,’” she says.
All of the money raised is donated to the show’s nonprofit groups of choice, seven for the first year: Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas, Restore Humanity, Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter, Art Amiss, American Cancer Society of Northwest Arkansas, 7 Hills Homeless Center and Spay Arkansas. Some of the boutiques that were part of the first show have previously hosted charity events and worked with specific nonprofit groups. She notes that Lola supports Spay Arkansas, and Maude supports Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter, which is why they were chosen as beneficiaries.
Next year, NWA Fashion Week will support 10 nonprofit groups, includingthe original seven plus the Miller McNeil Woodruff Foundation, Junior League of Northwest Arkansas and Ozark Guidance.
Terminella notes that about 30 nonprofit groups contacted NWA Fashion Week with interest in getting on board, and the additional three were chosen because they were three areas not covered by the others.
She says organizers plan to keep the initial seven nonprofit groups since they were the core founders of the event, and the other three spots will rotate over the years to “benefit as many nonprofits in Northwest Arkansas as possible.”
NWA Fashion Week 2012 raised almost $36,000, Terminella says. While she expected the idea to create a charity event that was unlike any other charity event in Northwest Arkansas would be popular, she says she was most surprised by the number of stores and talent that became involved. She adds that many of the people involved in fashion in Northwest Arkansas didn’t know each other prior to the event and are friends now.
“It really brought our fashion community together.”
There were more than 30 shows ofboutiques or independent designers for NWA Fashion Week 2012, and next year she hopes to have 40, Terminella says. About 20 shows booked so far.
Ticket prices went up for next year, from $25 and $50 tickets to $35 and $55 tickets.
When purchasing tickets, people can choose the nonprofit they want their money to benefit. Terminella says people seem to like being able to direct their money versus pouring it into a pot. Any money raised at the event, such as through T-shirt sales, is split evenly among the nonprofits.
The goal for NWA Fashion Week 2013 is to raise $100,000, she says. Other aspects are being added to raise money outside of ticket sales, such as a silent auction and a shopping experience on site. Terminella says she hopes this will attract more corporate sponsors. L’Oreal and Volkswagen were sponsors for the 2012 event and are also sponsoring next year’s NWA Fashion Week.
She says the events have smaller sponsors, but to reach that $100,000 mark, it’s going to “take some larger scale support.”
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit nwafw.com.
Whats Up, Pages 16 on 12/21/2012