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Kathy Jensen, the founder of An Affair to Remember, Pageant, and Formal Wear, started this show 11 years ago. She was approached about doing a fashion show to highlight upcoming trends, but she wanted to highlight girls in town.
“The show is just about women celebrating that they are women,” Jensen said. “Anytime you see a woman on the stage, their confidence is raised.”
Five years ago, the idea of highlighting local women in business and nonprofits was brought up by community members. No speeches, just a place where women could come together as strangers and leave as friends. These Women of Power would not only get recognition but also be able to talk to and inspire young women in high school.
Women of Power became such a success that a nonprofit organization called the Women of Power Society of North Carolina came out of it. The Women of Power Society is the brainchild of Jensen and Suzy Hrabovsky.
In 2022, the Women of Power Society partnered with the Center for Economic Empowerment and Development to host a Women’s Equality Day Brunch and #HerWeek Fayetteville. A portion of the fashion show’s proceeds will go to #HerPitch, a grant awarded to women in business.
Last year, Jensen says that $10,000 was raised over the year to go to CEED. This year’s fashion show is themed “The You Won’t Break My Soul Runway Extravaganza.” The theme is focused on making women and young girls feel empowered and beautiful in their own right.
Jensen tells Up & Coming Weekly that the theme was inspired by Beyonce’s song, “You Won’t Break My Soul.” This upcoming show will be the eleventh fashion show that An Affair to Remember will be hosting. The show features the latest formal wear from the industries leading designers like JOVANI, Sherri Hill, Rachel Allan, ASHLEYlauren, Johnathan Kayne and more. Julie Durocher, the leading prom dress designer for JOVANI, will be present at the fashion show.
Unlike last year, there will only be one show combining both the younger ladies of Fayetteville and the main show featuring high school-aged girls and the Women of Power. Overall, there will be 110 models this year, and at least 15 featured Women of Power.
The show will feature live music this year by the band Sleeping Booty. The Sleeping Booty Band is an energetic music collective based in Raleigh. They take inspiration from every genre, playing classics from Aretha Franklin to ZZ Top.
This year, one high schooler will have the opportunity to win a free prom dress and a VIP prom experience with some of her closest friends. In order to enter, all that high schooler has to do is attend the show. They will receive a raffle ticket that will be drawn during the show.
This fashion show is for anyone who wants to get out and support fellow women in the community, not just those who are interested in fashion
“Expect a great dinner. Be prepared to dance,” Jensen said. “It’s a great family event. Great for girls’ night out. It will just be a great night.”
General admission tickets are $20. Tickets for Row 3 are $40, Row 2 are $50, and Row 1 is $60. The show will take place at the Crown Coliseum on Saturday, Jan. 7. Doors open at 6 p.m., the show starts at 7 p.m.
Tickets can be bought at www.eventbrite.com/e/runway-extravaganza-fashion-show-tickets-442930917297. For more information on the show, go to www.aatrncfashionshow.com/.