Leadership Sandy Springs Supports Fashion Show Fundraiser

From Sandy Springs Chamber: Rockin’ the Runway, last week’s sold-out fashion show hosted by the Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber Women’s Business Network, again raised thousands of dollars to support The Drake House, the only nonprofit agency in the area that provides affordable housing and help for homeless mothers and children in North Metro Atlanta.

Since the show’s beginning six years ago, many of the runway models, attendees and event organizers have been members of Leadership Sandy Springs (LSS), including Karen Trylovich, Class of 2011, who founded the fashion show, and chairs the Women’s Business Network (WBN). She also serves on The Drake House Board and is chair-elect of the Chamber’s 2019 Board of Directors.

“When we started six years ago, we had several local women business and civic leaders as models and about 75 attendees – many of whom were friends from Leadership Sandy Springs,” Trylovich said. “The fashion show has grown so much and LSS members’ involvement has grown with us. Last week, 11 of our 21 models were LSS members, several of our restaurants which donated food are owned by LSS classmates and among the over 400 attendees, many had ties to LSS!”

Also on the runway this year, was Sandy Springs Police Captain Mike Lindstrom, a member of the LSS Class of 2016. Lindstrom and several other “men in uniform” from the City’s police and fire departments were a new and popular addition, escorting the models down the runway at UPS Global Headquarters, the site of the fashion show for the past four years.

“We are thrilled with the community’s response and what it means for The Drake House and the women and children The Drake House serves,“ said Trylovich. “Since we began the fashion show we’ve raised nearly $100,000 for The Drake House and Drake Village.”

“We love being in the fashion show and supporting this event,” said Andrea Settles, LSS board chair, (Class of 2013), who has modeled for several years and looks forward to seeing what outfits she will be given to wear that are curated from clothes donated to The Drake Closet boutique shops. All the ensembles, from the clothes, to the shoes, jewelry and purses, often with designer labels, come from The Drake Closets and all the pieces are for sale during the show, at very reasonable prices.

“Many of the models end up buying everything we’ve worn,” she laughed.

“Leadership Sandy Springs is committed to developing civic leaders who connect and strengthen our community - this is one of the ways we give back. It’s a fun evening for a great cause. We’re happy to be involved,” she added.

Images Via Sandy Springs Chamber