“ENCORE!” is a fundraising "celebrity" fashion show event, showcasing vintage, designer and classic fashions, a silent auction, high tea & discount shopping boutique
to benefit The Salvation Army women’s and children’s programs and raise
awareness of the clothing donation programs for TSA Thrift Stores and ARC.
Now, going into its 6th year, this celebrity & community driven event continues to be a one-of-a-kind show, raising thousands of dollars for local Salvation Army programs.
Through the talented contributions of the ENCORE! Fashion Committee comprised of a small number of select influential women from the community, media and retail/fashion markets, who help design and produce the event to the generous in-kind retailer donations, celebrity models, private clothing donors, sponsors and ticket-holders, the ENCORE! fashion show has continued to grow into community tradition of turning "Style into Substance."
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CHARITY NEVER GOES OUT OF STYLE
Tucson’s 2009 Salvation Army Celebrity Fashion Show Draws Spirited Crowd
Tucson (April 2009)– Students, celebrities, models , socialites, families and fashionistas all came together Sunday, April 26th to shop, dine and raise money for The Salvation Army’s 5th Annual ENCORE! Celebrity Fashion Show – an annual Spring event to raise money and donations for The Salvation Army’s Women & Children’s programs and the ARC. This year's event hosted more than 300 guests and models, over 12 racks of sale clothing, over 80 models and raised almost $12,000 for the local women and children's programs and women's hospitality house reconstruction and design - doubling numbers from previous year's events.
The first ENCORE! was held in March 2005 under the direction of event creator and Salvation Army PR Director, Tamara Mack. No stranger to fashion, Mack hailed from a fashion design and entertainment background before joining the Salvation Army. Modeling the event after several other successful Salvation Army fashion shows, Mack saw “ENCORE! as a way to introduce new populations to The Salvation Army, create a stronger bond with local media and business, while drawing attention to The Salvation Army Thrift Stores and the importance of donating & recycling used goods. “The success of ENCORE! has been amazing,” says Mack. “We almost have to turn away models each year, they have so much fun at the show.”
The community networking is another highlight of the event and was the
original idea behind the show, according to Mack.
The event itself is designed and produced by an active 'Fashion Board"
of select men & women who are responsible for design, donations, and
sales at the event. This year's board was comprised of over 20 Tucsonans
who began meeting weekly in February to prepare for this ambitous event!
The show is comprised of a high tea, silent auction and fashion show.
The fashion show, which features clothing collections sold through silent
auction and the boutique generates approximately 70% of the event monies.
The Designer Discount Boutique which opens following the show, features
racks of gently-used designer clothing, shoes & accessories at $5, $10 or
$20. Thousands of dollars are made though the boutique each year.
Following the event, all remaining boutique items are then sent to the ARC
for use in their thrift stores. “It’s a win-win situation for everyone,” says
Mack.
The event, which raises thousands of dollars yearly for Salvation Army
local women and children's programs, also brings together a powerful
mix of young professionals and affluent society guests – Many who are
introduced to The Salvation Army and it’s diverse, year-round Christian programs for the first time. The event also helps draw attention to not only donating second-hand clothing and items to The Salvation Army but also shopping there. “It’s an amazing thing to see the number of affluent models on the runway who buy their outfits,” says Mack. “This year’s Chic Boutique had a line of shoppers waiting to get in and even a few gentleman haggling over some Armani slacks!”
This year’s event again included media collaboration from Tucson radio and TV media outlets with the assistance of AD2. The Fashion show featured over 80 models, including the local media celebrities, film actors Chuck Williams and Tiffany Shepis, athletes and owners like Jay Zucker, as well as community legislators, business leaders and community activists.
Says Mack, “We couldn’t be more delighted! When we can offer an event that
puts a smile on everyone’s face and raises needed funds and awareness for the
most needy in our community, we have a win-win situation. ENCORE! is truly a
testament to the community working together!”
