Five years ago, Love on a Hanger owner Tiffani Waters got the idea to host a little fashion show at J. Fargo's restaurant, as a fun way to show off merchandise from her Main Street ladies clothing boutique.
Since then, the annual event has grown into a major production and fundraiser, held at the larger venue of Four Seasons Greenhouse and Nursery.
Proceeds go to the local chapter of the Women's Cancer Coalition, which helps women in Montezuma and Dolores counties financially with reproductive screenings and costs related to reproductive cancer. Because of an uptick in attendance and local business sponsorships, the show donated almost $7,000 to the organization last year.
This year, the goal is to raise $10,000. It's a lofty one, Waters admits, but hopes that the momentum built from previous years carries over.
"We were 15 to 20 tickets shy of selling out last year, so it's really blossomed," said Waters. "The first couple years we donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, until I stumbled upon the Women's Cancer Coalition. Since then I've been really involved, I'm on the board. It keeps all the money local to help women in Montezuma and Dolores counties help cover any cancer-related costs and regular reproductive screenings."
Keeping it local is also a cornerstone of the show's format. Love on a Hanger provides the clothing items for the models, stylists with Cortez-based Salon Serenity provide the styling, and local Mary Kay representative Erin Tanner handles the makeup.
In addition to ticket sales, the fashion show brings in revenue from business sponsorships, sales of Love on a Hanger merchandise made available at the show, and the cash bar.
"It's been a huge collaboration. It's been really great to see the wide variety sponsors step up, we have everything from a sand and gravel company to a hair salon, a lot that aren't necessarily fashion-related who just believe in the cause," said Waters.
Tickets for the 2015 Pretty in Pink Fashion Show are available at Love on a Hanger and Salon Serenity. A link to the online ticket sales can be found via the Love on a Hanger Facebook page: facebook.com/LoveOnAHanger.
The show is set for Thursday Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.