BROOKINGS – It’s a fashion show like no other Brookings has ever seen, and it’s already generating a lot of excitement.
Nail the Runway is set for 6 p.m. March 24 at the Old Sanctuary and will be a fundraiser for Brookings Area Habitat for Humanity. Tickets are $50 each, and there are only 200 available.
“We’ve had lots of people already call for tickets,” said Jana Krogmann, director of affiliate operations for Habitat.
Sorry, they don’t go on sale until Monday.
The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the phone number is 697-2540.
People can buy them with credit cards, cash or check. They can mail in requests to P.O. Box 412 in Brookings, but Executive Director Dan McColley recommends coming to the office at 321 Ninth St. (behind First Lutheran Church) because he expects them to sell out quickly. For more information, e-mail admin@brookingshabitat.org.
What is it?
Nail the Runway is unique because all the outfits must have at least 50 percent of the design made out of construction materials.
“Instead of working with silk and crinoline, you’re working with landscaping fabric and window screen,” McColley said.
The visually distinctive creations will be part of a deluxe black-tie optional evening that will include a cocktail reception and a dinner, along with a silent auction.
The meal will feature a two-station menu: one meat and the other pasta, Krogmann said. There will also be desserts and coffee, and it’s all mix and match, McColley added. HyVee is catering.
They have about 30 items for the silent auction but would like more. They are looking for nice items or service packages that will appeal to bidders of both genders and all ages, McColley said.
“I think we have a good variety,” he added.
Anyone who would like to sign up as a sponsor should call McColley. Amethyst sponsors start at $750, and go up through Sapphire, $1,500; Ruby, $3,000; Emerald, $5,000; and Diamond at $7,500.
If you don’t have that kind of money but would still like to help, they are looking for a photographer to take pictures that will be used to promote next year’s show. They also need someone to help with music.
“Music is a central element for the runway showpiece,” McColley said.
And they always need some help with set up and clean up, as well as all the other jobs necessary for a show like this.
McColley’s hoping folks will be generous because the event is a fundraiser for Habitat and will help them build or renovate more homes for needy families.
Lots of interest
McColley and Krogmann announced the unusual fashion show in October to give contestants time to design outfits. They were just hoping to get enough entries so they wouldn’t have to abandon the whole idea. Instead, they exceeded their wildest dreams with roughly 60 designs.
Originally Krogmann was setting a maximum of 24 entries; she’s had to raise that.
“I can’t have any more than 28-30. That’s the max,” she said.
Krogmann said she was sorry that not all the designs will make it into the show, but there’s just not enough time. She even had to cut the half-time show to make room for the extra entries.
Contestants are a wide range, she added.
“Some of them are just random people that thought it would be something fun,” Krogmann said.
Some are in the theater, others design clothes or sew, and one quilts.
Molly Wicks, who teaches studio art at South Dakota State University, has a class design outfits each year. This year, she used Habitat’s design criteria. Some of those designs could wind up in the show; others will be displayed on mannequins so the students can be recognized for their hard work, McColley said.
The theme is “mirrored,” and designs must have that aspect incorporated into them, Krogmann said. All designs that appear in the runway show are eligible to win prizes.
Prizes awarded will be Most Wearable, Best Use of Design Element, Most Innovative Use of Construction Materials, Donors Choice and Best of Show.
“Donors Choice is my favorite because there will be an opportunity for donors to bid on outfits, and the outfit that raises the most money wins the Donor’s Choice award,” McColley said, adding that bidders do not win the outfit.
The winners will get a very special trophy of a mirrored stiletto shoe to commemorate the night.
Honored by the support
Since it’s their first time throwing a bash like this, they’re still learning, McColley said, but they’ve been pleasantly surprised.
“I’m really excited that that many people in the community are really interested and taking the time to design something for a show, a chance to get into a show,” Krogmann said.
“And so many people and companies want to be part of this because – it’s hard to explain – they’re volunteering to be part of something new and different,” McColley said. “It speaks well to the community and their support of this organization and the work we try to do.”
Contact Jodelle Greiner at jgreiner@brookingsregister.com.
