Editor's note: This article has been corrected to reflect that the idea for Nail the Runway came from the Rochester, Minn., Home Builders Association, and organizers are renting the Wilbert Square Event Center for the 2019 event.
BROOKINGS – Nail the Runway was such a big success the first time out, it’s coming back in March, but a lot has to happen before then, starting with designers coming up with ideas for outfits.
Deadline to submit sketches for consideration is Jan. 7, 2019, said Dan McColley and Jana Krogmann of Brookings Area Habitat for Humanity, which organizes the event. Sketches may be e-mailed to Habitat; mailed to P.O. Box 412; Brookings, SD 57006; or dropped off at the office at 321 Ninth St. in Brookings (behind First Lutheran Church).
“It’s a step that we didn’t have last year that we’ve added this year to anticipate an overwhelming response,” McColley said, adding only 30 will be accepted.
Those sketches will come under consideration of the committee. By Jan. 15, the committee will notify designers which creations are accepted for the runway show at the Grand Ballroom of the new Wilbert Square Event Center on March 23.
A total of 250 tickets for diners will go on sale at 8 a.m. Feb. 4.
For more information, call Habitat at 697-2540 or e-mail info@brookingshabitat.org online.
Wild imaginations
Anyone and everyone is eligible to submit a sketch, except employees or members of the board or planning committee, said McColley, executive director and chief mission officer.
But this isn’t your typical fashion show with cotton, silk and crinoline. This is a construction fashion show, and one of the rules is at least 50 percent of the visible design has to be made out of construction materials.
Nothing is off-limits. Designers can do anything their imaginations can dream up, as long as they can incorporate the materials into it. Last year’s Best in Show design, Golden Peacock by Susanne Bielfeldt and Barbara Ann Hawley, had a skirt made of furnace filters layered with bubble wrap, McColley said. Krogmann’s creation Sparkle in the Night was made of landscape fabric, duct tape and rope, and won two awards: Most Wearable and People’s Choice. A white wedding dress by Catherine Ching was made of Tyvek feathers.
Additionally, each year has its own theme, and this year’s is spikes, screws and nails, so the design has to incorporate at least one of those elements, as well.
These sketches must be able to translate into a real outfit, not just a concept, they warn.
“It’s gotta be able to go down the runway,” said Krogmann, director of affiliate operations.
As to the sketch itself, McColley said they don’t care if you draw it, paint it or design it on the computer; whatever way you want to do it is up to you, but make it detailed.
“The more detailed the sketch, the better the sketch, the more information the planning committee can get from the sketch, that’s gonna help them as they try to decide what the show’s gonna look like,” McColley said. “Stick figure with a triangle skirt – that’s probably not gonna be OK.”
Designers do not have to wait until the deadline to submit their sketches; as far as McColley and Krogmann are concerned, the earlier the better. They already have two people who have submitted entries and paid the $25 fee. All the forms are available at brookingshabitat.org, click on Calendar, then Nail the Runway.
“The sooner they get their name in, the sooner we’ll expect their sketch, and can check them out and if they have a problem or something, we can send it back (for corrections),” Krogmann said.
There are 30 slots for outfits in the show, but they are reserving eight to 10 slots for Molly Wicks’ design class at South Dakota State University. The spring class starts in January, and students wouldn’t be able to meet the deadline otherwise, McColley said.
Five judges will scrutinize the creations and pick the winners in five categories: Best in Show, Most Innovative Use of Construction Materials, Best Use of Elements, Most Wearable, and People’s Choice. Winners will receive a trophy adorned with a blue gem-studded stiletto shoe, as well as bragging rights. Last year’s trophy featured a clear gem-studded stiletto shoe.
The important thing to remember?
“Have fun, be creative,” Krogmann said.
The start
Last year was a learning experience for the folks from Habitat.
They had gotten this idea from the Rochester (Minn.) Home Builders Association and wanted to do it themselves but didn’t know what to expect.
“Last year, when we did this, we were unsure that we would get designs. It’s a novel concept not many people are aware of,” McColley said.
“The only reason I designed last year was I didn’t know if I’d get enough designers,” Krogmann said.
They planned for the minimum they could get and still put on a show, all while biting their nails.
“If we get eight, that’s enough for a party,” McColley figured at the time. “OK, Jana will do one, somebody said they were going to do five, now we’re at six. Will two other people show up? Then whoomp.”
They filled all 30 slots and threw a party, but quickly realized some things.
“The Old Sanctuary worked beautifully last year for the size of crowd we had, but it was a challenge,” McColley said.
There wasn’t any backstage space, making a problem for the models to get dressed and have their hair and make-up done.
When planning the 2019 show, they talked to the owners of the Wilbert Square Event Center and were offered the space for rent.
A year ago, McColley and Krogmann weren’t sure how a fashion show would go over in South Dakota but found out people loved it.
“It was just a lot of fun,” Krogmann said.
“Everybody had a happy face,” McColley said.
“Being there and being in the room with the guests who really had no idea what to expect,” McColley said. “To see them then after the show, (and hear the reactions) ‘How did they do that? And wasn’t that cool and did you see this one? That was made out of what?’ And all these kinds of things.”
McColley kept hearing things long after the event was over.
“Walking down the street, (people would say), ‘Dan, I wasn’t at your event, but I saw video and when is it next year?’ That’s a nice thing for us to be known for,” McColley said.
“One of the things we heard at last year’s event was it’s so fun to get dressed up, we don’t ever have anything to get dressed up for any more,” McColley said. “So we encourage people to put on their finest (and) save the date.”
“Jana has really made this a signature event for Brookings, and it is clearly our own,” McColley said.
More than just fun
Although McColley knows the fun brings people in, there’s a very serious side to Nail the Runway.
“The point of the event is to raise awareness of the work that we do and the families that we serve,” McColley said.
“The overriding and persistent crisis of families trying to find decent and affordable housing, it’s not just an issue for Brookings County. There is not a single county in the United States where someone who makes minimum wage can afford a place to live,” he said.
“This event is a fun way to highlight that need and the solutions Habitat offers,” McColley said.
It’s quickly become such an important way to get their point across that they’re planning ahead.
“We’re sort of planning 2019 and 2020 at the same time,” McColley said.
Brookings Area Habitat will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2020, and Krogmann plans to make that Nail the Runway very special.
“I already have the shoe,” she said.
Contact Jodelle Greiner at jgreiner@brookingsregister.com.
