BROOKINGS – Nail the Runway, Brookings’ premiere fashion show, is set for March 27, but the public will only be able to attend by viewing it online, say organizers from Brookings Area Habitat for Humanity.

Changes include no meal and no social hour at the event as in the two previous years, making for a shorter evening, but there will be a live auction and voting for favorite outfits, said Randy Grimsley, resource development director, and Jana Krogmann, director of affiliate operations, of Brookings Area Habitat for Humanity. 

There will be no admission fee and no limit on the number of people who can view the show, the two said. That will open up the event to people who might not have been able to attend if it was being held at a venue. 

“It’s different this year … but I am glad that everyone can watch it so they can see what a fun event it is,” Krogmann said.

Some aspects of the event have been changed due to COVID-19, and some have changed because Nail the Runway has grown so much, Krogmann said. 

“That will be fun to reveal that and then to reveal the new (design) element for 2022,” she said.

Nail the Runway 

Nail the Runway is a fashion show with models strutting originally-designed ensembles down a runway at the Performing Arts Center. But there is a twist.

The unique outfits are designed by local people using construction materials in creative ways. 

The theme this year is keys, and designers must incorporate keys in the design of their outfits.

Although Nail the Runway is designed to be fun, it has a very serious purpose: making housing available to those who otherwise could not afford it.

“Nail the Runway is our annual gala. It’s our only major fundraising event that we put on each year,” Grimsley said. 

During the last event in 2019, $33,000 was raised, Krogmann said. That money goes toward Habitat’s mission of building affordable housing. 

Habitat for Humanity is an international organization that raises money, mobilizes volunteers and works with potential homeowners to build new houses. Homeowners are chosen on the basis of financial need, willingness to partner with Habitat to help build the home, and their ability to repay the mortgage through an affordable payment plan.

No audience

Having no admission fee does cut into the fundraising aspect, but Grimsley and Krogmann are looking at the bright side.

“We hope it raises awareness … it can play to a much wider group of people and so hopefully that allows them to get to know the organization a little bit more,” Grimsley said.

Nail the Runway is billed as a formal event and people can dress to the nines or not.

“People can sit at home on their couch in their pajamas if they want,” Grimsley said

“Or they can dress up,” Krogmann said.

“We’d love to see pictures of them dressing up and making a special night for themselves,” Grimsley said.

The less formal attire will probably not be an option in future events.

“We love the dress-up evening that we do have, and we’ll plan to return to that,” Grimsley said.

Voting

One of the favorite draws of Nail the Runway is voting for the outfit that wins People’s Choice. 

“The audience buys bids and the outfit that raises the most money will be given that award (during the event),” Krogmann said. “Normally, they buy bid cards, but they will be doing it online this year.”

Judges determine who wins the other four categories: Best in Show, Best Use of Construction Materials, Most Wearable, and Best Use of Design Element.

Silent Auction

There will be a silent auction for the event and that will be online, as well, Grimsley and Krogmann said.

Any businesses or individuals who would like to donate items or services to be auctioned should call Habitat at 697-2540 or email Krogmann at jana.krogmann@brookingshabitat.org. 

“The auction will have some new, exciting things on there, as well,” Krogmann said. 

To bid on items, folks will need to submit payment information and follow the bids for their favorite items online, Grimsley said, adding the auction will continue for a few days after the event.

“You don’t have the benefit of watching someone go up and checking the paper and seeing if you can outbid them. So, we’re giving it a little bit longer time,” he said.

They are still ironing out details, but Grimsley hopes they will be able to offer a bid-tracking feature so folks can keep track if they are competing with others for the same item. 

Donations

Habitat will take donations at any time.

There is a PayPal link on the local organization’s website, checks can be mailed to the Habitat office, or dropped off at the Habitat Re-Store during the hours it is open to the public. The Habitat office is closed to the public due to COVID-19, but arrangements can be made to accept a check if you call ahead.

Looking back, looking ahead

Grimsley and Krogmann said in spite of the COVID complications, Nail the Runway has been a fun experience and will continue to be for all involved.

This will be the third Nail the Runway event they have gotten to stage; the one in 2020 would have been the third, but COVID interrupted that one.

They are still learning and building the event, Krogmann said.

“The first one we had such great reaction, which was amazing,” Krogmann said. “The 2019 – was awesome, it really was a great event. … We did sell out, we were packed in there, which was great.”

They started off with a pool of people who didn’t know what to expect, but they enjoyed it and are now bringing other people to help out, Grimsley said.

“It’s been a very successful venture that way,” he said.

Not only are the volunteers coming back, so are the designers and models.

“They have a lot of fun working in that creative outlet,” Grimsley said.

Although it’s a lot of work, organizers also have fun.

“From our end, it is a unique way to also have fun behind the scenes. We have fun putting this together, but (with the added benefit) to generate interest and funds that help us follow through on the building of homes in town,” Grimsley said.

“It’s different depending on who enters and what creative things they bring to the table. It’s fun to be out in the public in that way that they give you feedback, and they are actively showing that they support our organization and understand the need for affordable homes in our community,” Grimsley said. “I think, all around, it’s a winning event.”

“I’ll be happy for 2022 when we can do it in person again,” Krogmann said.

Contact Jodelle Greiner at jgreiner@brookingsregister.com.