Dress for Success Quad Cities is gearing up for its biggest fundraiser of the year – Recycle the Runway.
The 2022 Recycle the Runway will kick off with cocktails and networking from 5:30-6:30 p.m., Thursday, April 21, at Rhythm City Casino Resort, Davenport. That will be followed by the program and fashion show, which runs until 8:30 p.m.
Cost for the event is $75. Attendees will be treated to a “Project Runway” style fashion show where local designers compete for a cause. Designers or teams have been selected to showcase runway-ready ensembles crafted from bags of random recycled clothing and accessories assembled by Dress for Success volunteers.
Each designer or design team picked out a bag with no idea of the contents inside. The organization gave them six weeks to craft an outfit from the items. Some items such as zippers, buttons, tulle, etc., could be added to the ensemble. But at least 65% of the final design must come from the bag’s clothing items.
Designs will be judged on craftsmanship, quality, creativity, overall head-to-toe presentation, and stage presence, the women’s empowerment organization said.
In addition to the unveiling of their designs, guests will hear from each designer about what inspired their creation and see how it came to life. The top three designers will take home cash prizes. Sign up for the event at dressforsuccessqc.org.
All of the night’s proceeds will go to providing free job-search assistance, group workshops, career coaching, and professional clothing for women in eastern Iowa and western Illinois who are searching for full-time employment, transitioning into a new industry, or working to advance their careers.
Recycle the Runway’s presenting sponsors are Royal Neighbors of America, Iowa American Water and Exelon Generation. Media sponsors include the Quad Cities Regional Business Journal and WQAD. Other sponsors include Rhythm City Casino Resort, RSM, Sedona Staffing, CBI Bank & Trust, Huiskamp Collins Investments, Smart Lexus of the Quad Cities, Ascentra Credit Union, GreenState Credit Union, Newton Law, First Midwest Bank, US Bank, ElectroFreeze, Me & Billy, and Waste Commission of Scott County.
