Runways ready for Northwest Arkansas Fashion Week

For the second year, the best local boutiques and designers come together to raise funds for 10 area non-profits like Spay Arkansas, 7 Hills Homeless Shelter and Restore Humanity at Northwest Arkansas Fashion Week (NWAFW) starting March 11.

Runway shows at the Chancellor Hotel in Fayetteville have sold out but there are still other opportunities to get in on the week-long event.

Jade Terminella and Danielle Vaughan also sold out NWAFW runway shows last year on their first effort. The multi-day event was an offshoot from Strutt for A Mutt, founded in 2007 by Terminella and Juliette Sherin, owner of Luxe Beauty. While Strutt raised funds for the Fayetteville Animal Shelter, throughout the year there were fashion shows for different non-profits going on in the area.

“We wanted to pull all the existing shows together to create one platform, ‘Fashion for Philanthropy,’ and many got on board,” Terminella said.

In NWAFW, the Arts, animals, humanities and community are all represented by the benefitting charities. When purchasing a ticket for the events, the buyer chooses to which organization her money goes, and 100% goes directly to the charity.

NWAFW 2012 raised more than $33,000. The Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter raised the highest amount of $7,000, along with Spay Arkansas at $5,000 and 7 Hills Homeless Shelter at $4,300. Restore Humanity was able to host a child for an entire year at their Kenyan orphanage with $3,500. Terminella says they expect about the same amount from the 2013 event.

This year NWAFW announced a partnership with Mercedes Benz of Northwest Arkansas. Terminella says they do focus on creating an event very similar to Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York.

“But ultimately NWA Fashion Week is much more, because the shows are about fashion, but with a purpose to raise awareness and funding for some of our favorite projects happening right here in Northwest Arkansas,” Terminella explained.

The five-night event kicks off on Monday (Mar. 11) with Shopping Night Out at participating boutiques offering 20% discounts.

Also on March 11 and open to the public are Launch Parties at Vetro 1925 in Fayetteville and Ruth’s Chris in Rogers, where a percentage of drink profits will go back to NWAFW charities.

The Official Kickoff Party on March 13 at UNION Kitchen + Drinks will have live music by Groovement, raffle prizes and more. After-parties after each runway show cost $12 for guests. The not-yet-sold-out Kid’s Day event on Saturday at 11 a.m. will have a runway show with Terra Tots and Tutu Couture and feature an animal adoption event + ice cream truck.  

Link here for more information and the schedule of events.