On Saturday the Westport Library hosted what has now joined other exceptional events on the Westport social calendar raising thousands of dollars to help Homes with Hope as they endeavor to fight homelessness and help feed area families in need.

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery

The library's Trefz Forum was transformed for a magical evening presenting Westport's version of NY Fashion Week, where dozens of beautiful models strutted their stuff on the runway wearing fabulous fashions from nearly two dozen of Westport's leading clothing stores.

Models included many well-known Westporters and town officials including First and Second Selectwomen Jen Tooker and Andrea Moore and RTM member Andrew Colabella. Notables in the audience included NBC anchor, journalist and Today show co-anchor Craig Melvin and Westport Chief of Police Foti Koskinas.

Backstage, models waited for their cue while several local stylists provided hair and make-up assistance, including Salon Dada, Artistex, Greg & Tony Ouidad salon, Whip, and Hammer & Nails.

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery

Maxxwell Crowley, Director of the Westport Downtown Merchants Association, the WDMA, was asked by WestportLocalPress about the tremendous success of this important fundraiser and Maxx told us, “Events like Fashionably Westport truly show you what an incredible town Westport is. So many bought tickets and rallied behind the event knowing the impact it would make for Homes With Hope and their incredible mission. It also gave the merchants and people of the town a venue to have some fun, showcase some beautiful clothing, and celebrate the amazing business of our town.”

The audience, showing their own lovely fashions gathered in the library enjoying delicious food and great drinks and took lots of photos before they were called to the seating area surrounding the runway for the start of the show.

Maxx's team worked hard, led by WDMA event planner Jill Dunn who served as show director coordinating the efforts of vendors, volunteers and staff insuring that a great time was had by everyone in attendance.

Asked to describe the event Maxx told us, "2023 Fashionably Westport was a huge success! We had a sold out event for the second year in a row and are on track to beating financial our goal for a donation to Home with Hope who we partnered with for this event. The event showcased Westporters modeling looks from downtown merchants, everyone from Vuori to Eileen Fisher to Splash of Pink. The Library was the perfect venue for this event allowing us to build out the runway and get all the lights and music the models needed to strut their stuff. Big shout out to Walrus Alley for being our food caterer and Don Memo for mixing the cocktails for the evening. 99 Bottles supplied the wine and beer. We had many supporting vendors who participated and lots of other sponsors who supported this event and the fun goodie bags we handed out to all who attended." Maxx added, "Next year we hope to sell out the show again and most importantly continue to raise lots of money for the incredible team at Homes with Hope"

The second day of the two day event, Sunday guests were offered in-store promos at the 21 merchants who provided fashions for the show, including Athleta, Bella Bridesmaids Westport, Bobbles & Lace, Eileen Fisher, Express Edit, Fred, Scout & Molly's, Splash Of Pink, The Plumed Serpent, Winged Monkey and other fine stores.

About Homes With Hope

Helen McAlinden of Homes with Hope gave a presentation showing a glimpse into the many achievements of the organization, their services to the community and some of the people in need whom they have assisted.

Helen expressed here her deep appreciation of the efforts of the WDMA in producing this highly successful event, saying, "On behalf of the myself, Helen McAlinden, President and CEO of Homes with Hope, our Board of Directors, our staff and the people we serve - a big thank you to Maxx Crowley, President of The Westport Downtown Association and his staff for their hard work and dedication to this brilliant event. We are very grateful to the WDMA and our very generous Westport Community, once again, for attending Fashionably Westport and supporting Homes with Hope’s mission of preventing and ending homelessness in Fairfield County.

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery