This fall, local media personalities and celebrities are giving back…with a bit of glamour. At the Dress for Success Charlotte Runway Show at Simon Fashion Now™, Charlotte VIPs will take a turn down the catwalk to celebrate the season’s fashions while inspiring the community to give back. On October 23 and 24, Simon Fashion Now will introduce consumers to the fashion highlights of the fall season. Guests will see an extensive selection of the latest styles from SouthPark retailers through a series of runway shows. Additionally, there will be a series of interactive style shops hosted by select retailers where tips and trends will be shared on topics ranging from skin care to accessorizing.
As a special part of Friday evening’s festivities, guests can also enjoy an exclusive silent auction to benefit Dress for Success Charlotte from 5:00-7:30 p.m. A special Dress for Success Runway Show will take place at 7 p.m. and will showcase how new and gently worn business attire can be fashion forward – while making a big difference in the lives and careers of local women. With renewed closets, and enhanced self-esteem, women in need can gain the tools and support they need to further their careers with confidence. Charlotte residents are encouraged to bring conservative, interview appropriate accessories to the Dress for Success Charlotte table at Circle Court on Friday evening to donate to Dress for Success, which promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
Media celebrities and VIP participants in the Dress for Success Runway Show Friday at 7pm include:
Natalie Pasquarella - WSOC-TV
Colleen Odegaard - WCNC-TV
Janine Davis - WPEG-FM
Kim Salyer - skirt! Magazine
Kirsten Valle - SouthPark Magazine
Olivia Fortson - SouthPark Magazine
Bridgette Wright - Charlotte Style
Crystal Dempsey - Philanthropist
“We are thrilled to be a part of this celebration of style, said Dress for Success Charlotte Director Kerry Barr O’Connor. “Many of the runway show VIPs are longtime supporters of our program, and we are excited that they are helping inspire the community to build the confidence of local women—even with something as simple as donating new and gently used interview appropriate clothing and accessories.”
“As we showcase SouthPark’s latest fall fashions, we also hope to show Charlotte shoppers how they can share their clothes and accessories to help others,” explains Nicole Bostic, director of marketing and business development for SouthPark. “Garments that are interview appropriate, but may no longer be a necessary part of our own wardrobes, are a great asset to non-profit organizations like Dress for Success Charlotte. We hope the versatile styles of Simon Fashion Now will inspire more shoppers to donate accessories and proper business attire as they purchase something new for themselves this fall season.”
Simon Fashion Now at SouthPark will kick off on Friday, Oct. 23 with Trends & Friends Night, an evening of fashion, cocktails and bites, beginning at 5:00 p.m. in SouthPark’s Circle Court. The event will feature three runway shows at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. and Style Stops showcasing the latest fashion trends, all free of charge. Guests will also enjoy the special Dress for Success Charlotte runway show Friday evening at 7:00 p.m.
Simon Fashion Now continues on Saturday, Oct. 24 at Center Court with runway shows every hour from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. and even more Style Stops. During the fashion shows on Friday and Saturday, shoppers can expect to see an abundance of styles for men and women ranging from everyday wear to sophisticated evening looks. Unlike fashion week runway shows, each featured look will be available for immediate purchase at participating retailers. Beautiful models provided by Page Parkes Corporation will showcase fall looks from SouthPark’s hottest retailers including Belk, Dillard’s, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Aéropostale, Banana Republic, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Billy Reid, Brighton Collectibles, Caché, Coldwater Creek, Cole Haan, Francesca’s Collections, Gap, J. Jill, Soma Intimates, Swarovski and Tommy Bahama. Interactive Style Stops will also be set up to showcase the latest trends with Aveda, Bath & Body Works, Belk, Dillard’s, Francesca’s Collections, J. Jill, My Skin Within, Nordstrom, Soma Intimates, The Body Shop and Tiffany & Co.
Simon Property Group created Simon Fashion Now in 2008 after launching successful grand opening events that incorporated elements of fashion at several premier Simon properties. The concept has grown larger every season, with many more events and runway shows that emphasize the notion that fashion is fun and accessible.
Simon Fashion Now has also expanded to Facebook, with the launch of an official Fan Page, which details information about the runway fashion shows and events at each participating property. Additionally, contests, images and fashion-focused articles are posted to enhance fan interaction. To find Simon Fashion Now on Facebook, visit http://www.facebook.com/SimonFashionNow.
