Image courtesy of Ruby Room.

Bellevue's Ruby Room announced its annual fundraiser, Ruby Room Runway, will be held this year on October 9th and is showcasing three local fashion designers. Their fabulous fashions will then be auctioned off with all proceeds benefiting the Ruby Room.



What's the Ruby Room?

In 2002, the Ruby Room was founded on the belief that everyone should be able to attend proms, homecoming, formals, all those big HS events, regardless of their ability to pay. Their idea was to "level the dance floor." Relying on local donations and gifts, Ruby Room collects formalwear throughout the year, and then gifts it to young women who are unable to purchase their own dance attire. Each girl is paired with a personal shopper volunteer (a little bit like a fairy godmother) who assists her in picking out the perfect gown and accessories.

What's the fundraiser all about?

The Ruby Room Runway will have the three designers using the dress inventory as inspiration as well as supplemental fabric, for the construction of their looks. Each designer has four looks to complete, for a total of 12 looks that will then be auctioned off. The designers are as well competing for a grand prize of $1000.



The designers for this years’ fashion show are Deyonte’ Weather, Carlisia Minnis and Jeanette Svensk Li. Weather is a Chicago native, living and designing in Seattle with a knack for creating beautiful, unique and "saucy" designs. His garments are hip, edgy, and glamorous, and Ruby Room says, "Women love the way they look and more importantly the way the feel in his garments."



Calrisia Minnis is local designer who founded and designs for MAC Fashion House. The MAC collection has appeared in magazines, shows, videos and even after-parties for entertainers like Erykah Baduh and Maxwell. Minnis describes her style as “a little fearlessness with a little elegance. After 14 years strong, I’m still producing garments with lots of colors, prints, and textures. This gives women the feeling of being sexy, sensual, and sassy, while my guys are walking around proud, handsome, and feeling GQ.”



Mercer Island-based designer Jeanette Svensk Li originally hails from Sweden, and is behind the label is Cute Like Mad. Her designs were also a part of IDRS in 2015, and she tends to lean Scandinavian: cool and sleek minimalism. Svensk Li says: “I get inspiration from architecture and museums. I love to imagine how I can turn garments, which were constructed and designed a long time ago, into something current and modern. Music is also important to me—I always listen to music when I work.”

The bottom line details?

The event will be Sunday, October 9th and tickets start at $65 for general admission and go up to $125 for Ultra VIP. There will be special student pricing available. To purchase or find out more about Ruby Room, visit their website at RubyRoomSeattle.org.