“Flip into Fashion,” a /’sas∙s’ē/ agency… production was a great success! What a stellar evening it was. We are so proud of each and every one of the 50 /’sas∙s’ē/-hired volunteer models who, like pros, showed off their Shoe Train shoes and accessories. “/’sas∙s’ē/ created an event that was unimaginably phenomenal,” said Shoe Train owner, Marina Fradlin, who hired “/’sas∙s’ē/ to create a complimentary community event as part of the /’sas∙s’ē/ inspired “Events Engine,” a quarterly community outreach and speaker series that gives back to the community and inherently thanks customers for their continued patronage. “Literally out of scratch and in less than two months /’sas∙s’ē/ brainstormed, named, branded, designed and developed the event that exceeded all expectations drawing in more than 100 people. Not only did “Flip into Fashion” boost sales for my business, but it was at its core a venue for collecting donations for a good cause. I have no idea how they do it, but the /’sas∙s’ē/ ladies are brainstormers and implementers.”
The event drew media attention, from WUSA-TV and Fox-5 to Bethesda Magazine, the “Flip” story was told, in part, because /’sas∙s’ē/ paired the fashion show with a back to school supply drive that supported the Montgomery County Public School Back to School Fair. By the end of the evening, Shoe Train helped boost the school supply drive for MCPS by collecting more than 300 school supplies for Montgomery County families in need. It costs an average $75 per child to properly fit a student with the supplies needed for school so we thank you for your efforts, donations and support.
In designing the concept for the event, /’sas∙s’ē/ strategized to design a show that was affordable for its small business client while reach far and wide into the community. In the atrium of a well-trafficked but small mall, Cabin John Mall, /’sas∙s’ē/ won the backing of Carl M. Freeman Companies (mall and center management), as well as the dozens of Cabin John Mall and Center businesses, corporate sponsors and supporters to build an unbelievable event that remained free and open to the public.
Our models, aged 2 to 13 and a half and hailing from 32 families, strutted down a real runway ripe with lights and background music. With a clever and often funny script written by /’sas∙s’ē/, the models were introduced by MC, “Ice,” of the incredibly talented Glyde Productions which also built the runway, stage and sound system as well as music for “Flip into Fashion.”
With additional corporate sponsor, Michael Bennett Kress Photography — taking professional photos of our volunteer models – the event was captured in memories and print forever.
Little eyes fell out of the little heads when the models saw the runway exit – an unparalleled 13-foot structure: a tree. Built by Capital Décor and Events, also a corporate sponsor, our models jumped off the runway and walked through the arch of the tree, then exited under a black, drawn curtain and down a red carpet.
“The whole set-up was really just awesome,” says Karen Friend whose two children, aged 9 and 11, walked the runway as volunteer models. “From the tree to the lights and sound, just… wow … the event was a (flippin’) success.
“It was the best day ever!” says 8-year-old Halle, another “Flip” model who hopes there are more events like this one in her future.
“What an amazing event. The excitement and energy in the faces of the children and the proud looks from the parents was a sight to be hold,” said Jody Jenkins, of Capital Décor and Events, who built the tree. “It’s a wonderful feeling knowing that on this particular evening people [came] together to help children in need acquire basic school supplies that most of us take for granted.”
Without a doubt, the favorite moment for all those involved, from parents to spectators to the corporate sponsors and the models themselves, was watching the children walk the runway and exit in awe through the tree.
“Awesome,” says Capital Décor and Events’ Jenkins.
Especially awesome because more than 300 school supplies were collected for Montgomery County families in need.
