Runway for a Cause hosts 5th annual fashion show

NOVEMBER 9TH, 2024 -- On Saturday, Runway for a Cause's fashion show saw teams of designers, muralists, and models strut their stuff in front of a crowd of people.  The backdrop was 5 murals, each coordinated to a collection.

"It's really nice because I grew up in this community and this is my third year doing Runway for a Cause," said Jaycee Smith, a designer.  "It's nice to give back because I don't live in this community anymore, so it's nice to come home and do something that I can be a part of and give back."

"I went to art school on a full scholarship, so I wouldn't be here without that education, without that scholarship. So it feels full circle," said Filomena Jack, a muralist.

Five teams of designers and muralists participated in the 2024 show.

ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) -- Runway for a Cause is gearing up for its 5th annual show on November 9th, and this year, they're giving to a new local initiative.

Runway for a Cause is a non-profit that provides a platform for artists to show their craft.   At their yearly community fashion show, designers and models strut their stuff on the runway.

In years past, the proceeds have benefited Casa Trinity, My Refuge House, and Habitat For Humanity.  Instead of giving back to a charity this year, the non profit is creating scholarships for artists in Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, and Tompkins counties, called the 'Runway to Reality' Scholarship.

"We hope to award two to three recipients within the four counties.  We work with so many different people in the area who want to pursue creative arts or fashion or cosmetology, anything within those lines. We want to offer scholarships to our aspiring talent and there's lots of college students, there's lots of high school students that work with us, so why not try to pour back into them as well? And specifically our community," said Emmi Saufley, the CEO of Runway for a Cause.

Tickets are still available for Saturday's show, which is happening at the Park Church in Elmira in collaboration with Community Arts of Elmira.  Tickets can be found on Eventbrite and the show is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.