Runway for charity supports local non-profits

Maison Garrison, a clothing boutique located in the Claremont Village, partnered up with Upland Boss Ladies, a social networking group, for a night of fashion and philanthropy with a Runway for Charity from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Nov. 6 at the Blaine Winery in Rancho Cucamonga.

“After I left corporate America, I wanted to make all of the women feel confident and stand in a world men dominate,” Shirley Garrison, owner of Masison Garrison, said.

Maison Garrison's fabrics travel from Milan, Paris and here in the United States with awareness to sustainability and appreciation for higher quality garments, all while proving style.

Garrison said her mission is to stay clean and offer her customers the best of the best with organic, natural cotton fabric.

The models chosen for the runway are all members of the Upland Boss Ladies group.

The Upland Boss Ladies are a chapter under TEAM Referral Network, a La Verne based networking group founded in 2022 that now reaches hundreds of chapters across the Western United States.

Earlier in the year, Kelleé-Michele Garlow, director of TEAM Referral Network and member of the Upland Boss Ladies, planned for the chapter’s annual events and decided to partner with those a part of her own networking group.

Ten percent of sales from the Maison Garrison pop-up boutique and gift certificate sales after the show, were donated to two non-profit, whose founders are also a part of the Upland Boss Ladies.

Tracy Evanson from the non-profit Healed Women Heal and Susie Warren from the non-profit Project Think split the $3461 raised. Healed Women Heal were able to put five women through their 12-week program and Project Think will be able to provide three to four scholarships next summer.

Healed Women Heal is an inclusive organization created to empower youth and women with developmental disabilities and to educate them on domestic violence as they are a group that is typically overlooked in those cases.

“I didn’t survive what I survived to stay silent,” Evanson said.

Project Think is a non-profit that strives to enrich the lives of children through Science, Technology, Education, Art and Math (STEAM).

“I’m excited to be here having a good time with friends and fashion,” Warren said.

The event began with light bites and social hour where about 60 guests received a complementary charcuterie box and a variety of Blaine wine or wine slushies to mingle with before the show.

After the introductions of the non-profits, the runway was active as models waltzed down the runway while Garrison explained each piece with the price. The fashion show revealed nine models in several different looks for different times of the day.

The models were dressed in couture all ranging in different body styles to show the variety of size options, allowing anyone to wear these looks.

Peacock blue, plum purple and bright red themed the more bold pieces while black and beige balanced for neutrality.

Leopard print, florals and houndstooth are timeless patterns Garrison incorporated in dresses, shirts, skirts and scarves. Smaller details on the pieces consisted of gold and silver eyelets or sequence.

Shoes and handbags matched perfectly with each outfit and are reasonably priced for such designer looks. Many of the clutches and smaller purses dual as crossbodies as they come equipped with a longer strap or chain.

Sherpa and denim go hand in hand during the colder months and the models displayed sherpa baseball caps with darker washed denim.

Wool trenchcoaches, berets and gloves symbolized the seasonal spirit through the pieces and displayed gift possibilities.

Runway looks were readily available after the show as well as gift certificates perfect for the holidays.

Maison Garrison's next runway show will be for their Spring/Summer collections in March. For even more, shop Maison Garrison in-store at 323 W Bonita Ave. in Claremont or online at maisongarrison.com.

Sarah van Buskirk can be reached at bysarahvanbuskirk@gmail.com.