The 2nd Annual WEAR RVA 2019 was 6 weeks ago! It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost 2 months and that we’re already busy planning next year’s event. The time just flies by when you’re doing things that you love & are passionate about. If you’re wondering what WEAR RVA is all about read this POST I wrote last year all about our show and the backstory.
This year WEAR RVA was held at The Renaissance and it was so pretty and also SOLD OUT!!! Taylor and I put so many months work into bringing the show to life and making sure that it was a full production event. We were supported by more people than I can possibly name and by countless sponsors. WEAR RVA has grown exponentially in just one year and it takes a spectacular team to bring it all together.
An exciting component to this year’s show is that WEAR RVA was THE FEATURED Thursday show for RVA Fashion Week! What??!! I know right we were so excited to be asked to join RVA Fashion Week. Just another reminder of what dreaming big with no limitations looks like.
We had 360 ticketed guests this year, 80 models, 11 boutiques & designers, 25 hair and makeup artists, plus over 25 team members & support staff. That’s over 500 people that came together to make this show amazingly awesome (if I do say so myself. Haha.) We also had amazing food sponsors!! The food by Goodrich Gourmet Catering blew us away and how about this WEAR RVA cake by J. Kelsey Designs?!
We had so many amazing sponsors for our show too and our hair and makeup teams knocked it out of the park for sure!!!!
We also had the most amazing emcees/hosts in existence! Total girl bosses who came on to support our cause with so much excitement & so many good ideas. We’re all about women supporting women and it’s heart warming and re-confirming to our mission when others are as excited about this as we are!! Thank you to Janna Hall (of Leap Innovative Group / Funemployed) and Caroline Kalentzos (of The Carline Doll / Posh PR) for being amazing examples of women coming together to cheer on other women! We couldn’t have done this show without your beautiful selves.
The net proceeds from WEAR RVA go to a scholarship fund for RVA area high school girls. Really that is the cornerstone of why we do what we do! The scholarship fund is run through The Network of Enterprising Women. You should totally check them out if you’re an RVA area woman! N.E.W. is both a women’s networking group and a philanthropical organization. They established their scholarship fund 30 years ago! Again women lifting up and empowering other women. Last year we were able to give over $5,000 to N.E.W. and support 5 scholarships. Wow!!! We are announcing our totals for this year tomorrow at N.E.W.’s June luncheon!
We had 80 models this year rocking that runway!!! These 80 girls are from our local area and current high school students. The only requirements to be a model for WEAR RVA are 1) current high school student in the Richmond area 2) available on two required dates for learning how to walk the runway and our event date. We want girls of all backgrounds, sizes, heights, shapes, diversity!! We want to show these girls that fashion is for everyone and we want to empower to feel comfortable and confident in their own skin. We just love our girls so much and WOW they all look like supermodels!
Last year WEAR RVA was just a dream. One of those big things you think about doing but you’re a lot scared of doing and not even sure where to begin. This dream became a reality because of an incredible partnership!!! Honestly I get a little teary eyed when I think of the serendipity of how things fell together. I met Taylor. I pitched my idea after knowing her for maybe 10 minutes. Taylor said let’s do it. WE MADE A F’ING FASHION SHOW!!!!! Now that perhaps is the condensed version but it’s true. I’m so happy to say that not only did I find an incredible business partner but I also gained an incredible friend in Taylor. WEAR RVA is equal parts both of us and I know that it’s because of our partnership that we’ve been a success.
Taylor and I are busy dreaming up & planning next year but also dreaming up and planning some other awesomeness. We have some big crazy ideas and goals & I’m so excited to see what the future holds. Thanks Taylor – I love you to pieces and I’m so very thankful for you and our friendship & partnership. Women supporting and empowering women!!!!!
I also need to give a shout out to my amazing husband. Without his unending support and love I wouldn’t be able to live out my crazy dreams and bring them to reality. He also makes great arm candy!! (Hello hot husband.)
If you’re interested in more information about how to be involved in WEAR RVA please check out our website HERE, our Facebook page HERE, or email us at wearrva@gmail.com . We would love to have you come on board to make WEAR RVA 202o the best year yet!!
All photos featured here of WEAR RVA 2019 are by the amazing Xiaoqi Li Photography. Thank you so much for your time and talent Xiaoqi!!