Forty-five high school girls from across West Tennessee got the runway experience Saturday night at the Lights, Camera, Fashion! Prom Runway Fashion Show at the Carl Perkins Civic Center.
The 4th annual show was sponsored by FrozenZen photography and My Best Friend Jenna Boutique, and all proceeds went to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Beverly Acker of FrozenZen photography said the program benefits St. Jude’s, but it also benefits the girls who participate.
“It uses tools that make them feel good about themselves and also build life skills,” Acker said.
She said the girls get runway training and are required to do all of the fundraising for the show. They also meet people outside of their schools.
“There are so few programs designed specifically for high school students outside of school activities,” Acker said. “They get to meet girls from all over. It’s a great transition to college.”
Brixton Bishop, one of the models in the show, said she was the only one from Memphis, so she did not know anyone when entering the program. She said she has gained self-confidence from the program.
“You have to go out and meet people and learn how to present yourself,” Bishop said. “There’s a lot more that goes into it than I first realized.”
Project Runway All-Star Johnathan Kayne and Miss Tennessee 2010 Nicole Lay emceed the event. Kayne said the program is unique in that it promotes a very positive atmosphere.
“They have such camaraderie,” he said. “It’s really an enriching experience for every girl involved, not just the winners.”
He said he enjoys seeing how much the girls grow and how comfortable they become on the runway. Lay said the experience can be terrifying because the models are walking in front of their peers and friends, but she said the confidence shines through.
Lay commended FrozenZen and My Best Friend Jenna for involving St. Jude’s in the event.
“This started out as a business endeavor,” she said. “They could have kept all this money to pay for their costs and promote their businesses, but they wanted to give it away.”
Acker said the event raised about $23,000 in its first three years and she was hoping to raise another $11,000 this year.
Saturday’s show featured five judges, including Project Runway All Star Joshua McKinley, Jovani Fashions Executive Maria D’Annunzio, model Ashley Durham, Justine Magazine Fashion Director Monica Hudson and television host Harrison Forbes.
The Saturday Shopping FRIENDzy took place at the civic center before the show and featured dozens of vendors showcasing a variety of clothing. McKinley and Kayne signed autographs at the event. The program included live music from electronic dance group Viral Animal and Nashville singer Mandy Allyn.
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