What began as a plan for a simple profit share at a Gibsonville boutique grew into something much larger. After some brainstorming, the owner of Pink Lola said her passion for fashion gave the team an answer: a runway show benefiting Little Pink Houses of Hope.
Pink Lola hosted the fashion show Sept. 12, bringing together models, local businesses and community members to raise money for the Burlington-based nonprofit.
The models were local women who volunteered to walk the runway.
Little Pink Houses of Hope provides free, weeklong retreats for breast cancer patients and their families.
Owner of Pink Lola, Mary Katherine Smith, said the idea began as a simple profit share at the boutique.
“We started brainstorming, ‘What if? Maybe?’” Smith said. “And then we end up at the Elon Inn with people coming and we're so excited.”
For Smith, the goal of the event was simple.
“Fun, fashion and fundraising, baby!” Smith said.
Her energy carried throughout the night as music played, models walked the runway and audience members cheered, laughed and sang. Smith said the models were so excited backstage that organizers had to remind them to keep the noise down before they walked out.
The clothing featured in the show came from a new Pink Lola collection that had not yet been released to the public. After the show, attendees were given the first opportunity to shop the collection.
The event also included local businesses, which all agreed to donate a portion of their sales to Little Pink Houses of Hope.
Among the vendors was Faith Bradley, owner of Linked by Faith Permanent Jewelry, a pop-up business that operates all throughout the Triad. Bradley said Alex Falkner, who works part-time at Pink Lola, invited her to participate in the fundraiser.
“What a fun event to do,” Bradley said. “I’m super excited.”
Falkner helped spark the idea for the event after telling Smith she was participating in Dancing with the Stars for Little Pink Houses of Hope. Falkner said Smith immediately wanted to find a way to support the organization, and the idea eventually morphed into the fashion show.
For a moment, the lighthearted atmosphere shifted before the runway show began. Local Realtor and emcee of the event, Amber Harvalias, reflected on the reason behind the event. Harvalias told the crowd that behind the clothes and celebration were “real women, real families, real battles and real stories.”
She also shared the story of a close friend who had recently undergone a mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Harvalias wanted to encourage attendees to be more intentional about supporting the people around them who are struggling.
Jordan Helms, event volunteer and director for Little Pink Houses of Hope, said the Burlington-based organization serves breast cancer patients across the country.
“Breast cancer comes with a lot of uncertainty," Helms said. “It comes with appointments, financial strain and anxiety.”
Helms said the retreats are designed to give families a chance to step away from those pressures, reconnect with each other and meet people who understand what they are going through.
Smith said supporting families affected by breast cancer felt especially meaningful because so many people have been touched by the disease in some way.
“I think everybody, whether it's a direct family member or a friend, has been touched by breast cancer,” Smith said. “The fact that we can support those families, I just think it's wonderful.”
Falkner said she hoped attendees left feeling connected to the organization and knowing they had made a difference in someone else’s life.
But before the first model stepped on the runway, Harvalias offered the crowd a similar challenge.
“Make a bigger impact in the world,” Harvalias said. “Love people a little more and just be more intentional with life because it's so, so precious.”