Fashion isn’t just about clothes, trends and looking like some model in a magazine.
It’s also about creating opportunities for self-expression, boosting self-esteem and helping others be their best.
That’s the motivation behind the fashion show that downtown Oxford’s Boulevard Boutique (5 S. Washington St.) is hosting on Thursday, Nov. 6 at the historic Buhl Estate in Addison Oaks County Park (1480 W. Romeo Rd.).
Tickets are $30 each and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Grand Rapids-based Fashion Has Heart (FHH), which hosts annual workshops that partner graphic artists with wounded veterans to create unique apparel.
‘This is my second (show) for this organization,? said Sue Oles, owner of Boulevard Boutique. ‘It’s a young organization and they’re just kind of getting started.?
Founded in 2010, FHH’s mission is to ‘unleash the creative spirit of wounded veterans? and give them a voice ‘through art, design and fashion,? while providing a chance for the creative community ‘to give back to the veterans who served on their behalf, both at home and abroad,? according to www.fashionhasheart.org
The t-shirts they create together ’embody the personal struggles and triumphs? of the veterans and serve ‘as a bridge? between the ‘two different worlds of soldiers and citizens,? according to FHH.
Each t-shirt represents an individual veteran’s story, explained FHH Marketing Director Ben Hoppe.
‘Some of these stories are painful and troublesome. We tell that through art,? he said. ‘It serves as kind of a unique therapeutic process for each veteran and (gives them) a way of reintegrating back into society.?
‘There are a lot of veterans that feel alone when they come back,? Hoppe continued. ‘What we do is we bring them into our (FHH) family and we introduce them to someone that truly cares and wants to hear their story.?
‘When you wear the t-shirt, you’re showing you support these veterans,? Oles said.
To date, FHH has worked with 16 wounded veterans. ‘We do make a difference with veterans,? Hoppe said. ‘It’s unbelievably powerful and unbelievably satisfying seeing a veteran see his design for the first time. It’s pretty neat. It really does help the veterans heal.?
Hoppe said the nonprofit is preparing to expand its program to include more veterans.
‘We’re open to all veterans,? he said. ‘At the end of the day, our mission is to tell as many veterans? stories through fashion, art and design as possible . . . Our goal isn’t to pick and choose. Our goal is to help as many as possible.?
Veterans who are interested in participating in the FHH program can e-mail Hoppe at ben@fashionhasheart.org
Boulevard Boutique’s Nov. 6 fund-raising event begins at 5 p.m. with the opportunity to shop amongst 24 vendors.
Dinner ? a Michigan salad topped with a chicken breast, plus dessert ? will be served at 6 p.m. There will be a cash bar.
The fashion show featuring clothes from Boulevard Boutique will begin at 7 p.m.
‘There will be 12 models wearing three outfits a piece,? Oles said.
Regina Paul Salons in downtown Oxford will style the models? hair and apply their makeup for the show.
For tickets, call (248) 408-1096. Deadline for reservations is Sunday, Nov. 2.
‘Come and have fun,? Oles said. ‘It’s just a great cause.?
Hoppe noted that Boulevard Boutique will begin selling FHH t-shirts later this year.
‘We’re hoping to get them in there maybe around December,? he said. ‘If there are other businesses that are willing to carry our product, they can contact me.?