Thirteen of the Lexington area’s most creative fashion designers will vie for top honors this year when Dress for Success’s Recycle the Runway returns Oct. 7 at The Grand Reserve.
Dress for Success, a nonprofit organization founded in 1997, is a source of professional attire for low-income women preparing for job interviews. The Lexington affiliate opened its doors in October last year in Eastland shopping center, and staged the first Recycle the Runway.
In addition to providing clothing, the Dress for Success addresses every phase of a woman’s career — providing support and resources through the job search, at the time of employment, and continuing with services and support to ensure that women keep their jobs and have the tools and encouragement to pursue self-defined success. Career development and employment retention programs and services are the cornerstone of Dress for Success, and of every woman’s experience within its doors.
Included in this year’s lineup are the three winners of last year’s Recycle the Runway, a unique fashion show, silent auction and luncheon that showcases runway-ready garments made out of clothing otherwise deemed “unsuitable.”
Dress for Success Lexington Executive Director Analisa Wagoner says, “We are so excited to have these thirteen designers lending their creativity to a great cause. Not only will we be celebrating the successes we’ve had in our first year, but also the incredible talent we have right here in Lexington.”
All 13 designers have picked up their bags of unsuitable garments and are already “working their magic” to create winning designs, said Amy Wickliffe, Dress for Success Lexington Vice-Chair.
Recycle the Runway kicks off at 11:30 a.m. at The Grand Reserve with a luncheon, a silent auction and “grab bag” opportunities. Then the local designers and their models will take center stage.
The second annual Dress for Success Lexington Boutique sale takes place in
November, following “Recycle the Runway.” The sale is open to Dress for Success clients, and will be open to the public as well. Proceeds from the sale benefit the Suiting and Career Center programs for Dress for Success clients.
Tickets for Recycle the Runway are $100 and can be purchased online at www.dressforsuccess.org/lexington. One hundred percent of the proceeds go to the organization to supports its mission to empower women to be financially independent.
