A charity fashion show – often mounted in conjunction with events like New York Fashion Week – can be a great way to raise funds for your cause of choice. While benevolence is certainly a strong motivator, throwing an event that is fun and exciting can make it easier to attract attention, get locals interested in attending and boost proceeds.

Getting started 
The most important thing you’ll need to do to get your fashion fundraiser underway is secure donations. Ideally, try and get your designers to donate their time and designs to the show, or at least work at a discounted rate. Similarly, see if you can find a venue with owners willing to support your cause. If you can contact local retailers and put together some donated raffle prizes, all the better.

Alternatively, you can seek sponsorship from local or national businesses. This sponsorship can take the form of a direct contribution, the donation of a vital resource or even some kind of matching donation, where your sponsor kicks in money for every ticket sold or dollar generated. These sponsors can be promoted and acknowledged via custom backdrops and banners with branded logos printed on them. 

Set admission and raffle ticket costs low enough so that you attract the most amount of attendees. KonectIDY says that the most common price point for charity event admissions is $5 per ticket. The authors also point out that maximizing ticket sales ahead of time can help in budgeting and incentivize people to plan on attending.

Having trouble deciding on a show theme? Here are a few fun ideas — and what you’ll need to make them happen:

For Kids
A kids fashion show is a fun, exciting idea – particularly if you can feature designs or models who are part of the group you’re raising money for. Reach out to local schools, after-school programs, clubs and other groups with kids of various ages and take a roll call as to who would like to take part. Have the kids design their own fashions and outfits – you might be amazed at how inspired and eccentric they turn out! Plot out the show into sections segregated by age group, so that kids of roughly the same age get to walk the aisles together.

The kids taking part in the show will love the opportunity to strut their stuff and you’ll be able to raise awareness for your cause through their enthusiasm.

Prom Fashions 
As a way to get fashion inspiration for one of the biggest social events of the school year, a prom-themed show is sure to be a hit. Ask local teens to design or pick out their favorite formal wear and invite them to be models for a day. From dresses to tuxedos, look for what’s hot from the world of pop culture and try and create a spin on that. Make sure to plan it in advance of local school proms, homecomings and other formal dances. To really maximize funds for your charity of choice, consider raffling off some of the showcased outfits or custom tailoring services from a local suit or dress shop.

Maternity
For a show that can subtly evoke themes of family and parenting, maternity fashions are often underexposed, yet connect with people on a deep level. Additionally, if you are trying to raise funds for motherhood- or adoption-oriented charities, this can tie the whole event together.

As Fundraiser Help points out, the market for maternity wear is significant, yet it is a relatively niche product, thus offering a more limited selection. Reach out to prominent maternity wear designers and retailers, but also encourage local designers to generate their own outfits. You can even involve some infant fashion to make your event more varied — and adorable.

Whether you are looking for a backdrop to complete your red carpet or you need branded vinyl banners for your sponsors, Sign Art Etc can make it happen. Contact us today to learn more.

Sophistication, elegance, refinement – if you’re planning an upscale party this is what you want to achieve.

But there’s a reason why some parties fall short of this goal.  It starts with a dollar sign and ends with a lot of zeroes.

Event planners face these kinds of situations on a weekly basis: A client wants to throw a billionaire’s party on a middle manager’s budget. They want their guests to experience unlimited luxury while paying only for what matters most.

If you’re an amateur or professional event planner stuck in this party time paradox, we’ve got a few suggestions for how to throw a kingly affair without going pauper.

1. Go avant garde on venue

Hosting at the hottest area nightclub or restaurant will certainly draw a crowd, but it will also draw up steep rental costs you will not want to pass on to your clientele.

Instead, check out local venues that can accommodate RSVPs, impress guests and save your client money. Think libraries, parks, old movie houses and aquariums. What’s grander than sipping champagne alongside tiger sharks and sea cucumbers?

For an even better deal, look into well-kept industrial spaces like warehouses, studio spaces or rail yard-adjacent buildings. High ceilings, exposed brick and light urban decay are a great blank canvas for your event masterpiece.

However, a word to the wise: Sometimes paying a small premium on a venue that has resources like tables and sound equipment is better than going with a cheaper venue that offers no extras . When weighing location options, always get a detailed list of everything that’s included with the space.

2. Invite the faux-parazzi

There’s no shortage of snapshots at celebrity events, so treat your guests like Hollywood royalty by investing in custom-designed step and repeats.

Whether you hire a professional photographer or rely solely on smartphones, these backdrops are an inexpensive way to dial up the fabulous.

For commercial clients especially, these backdrops double as attractive event features and valuable marketing investments. If your clients encourage attendees to post the pictures they take to social media with an event hashtag, they’ve got a highly effective campaign for attracting new business and showing off for top talent. Plus, the backgrounds are reusable. They can break them out at future events.

3. Pick up (part of) the bar tab

Depending on where the event takes place, you may need to acquire a special one-day serving license from city hall. Don’t focus on what you will spend on a malt and wine license versus an alcohol license. Think instead of the subsequent costs of following through on either.

According to Evite’s Drink Calculator, an event that serves only beer and wine to 100 people (35 light drinkers, 50 average drinkers and 15 heavy drinkers) for three hours will need at least 180 bottles of beer and 36 bottles of wine. Keep that in mind so you don’t overspend on supplies.

If, however, your city allows for the purchase of a temporary liquor license and that’s the direction you want to go, don’t make the mistake of stocking a selection of spirits. You’ll run out of what’s popular and retain what isn’t. Instead create two or three signature cocktails, then buy those supplies through a wholesaler. Martinis anyone?

Get more out of your event by checking out our other posts for more party planning tips and tricks!

Your guests just left a chic fashion show and are looking to keep the party going – preferably somewhere with style and flair. If you are looking to take advantage of New York Fashion Week and turn your restaurant or dance club into the “It” post-show destination, consider the following fashion party ideas:

Start with the VIPs
Your regulars are going to be the gateway to attracting new guests, so make sure to dive into your mailing list and send out invitations to them first. To complete the feeling of a swank fashion show after party, consider offering “backstage” or “VIP” passes to your most loyal patrons, getting them expedited entry to the club, access to cordoned off VIP areas and even gift baskets like celebrities at a high-class award show.

Roll Out the Red Carpet
The red carpet is a way to signal to your guests that your venue is a hot spot, making them feel like part of an elite group. Of course a red carpet isn’t complete without a backdrop set up by the door as a designated photo area. Customizing the backdrop with your venue’s name or logo ensures everyone will know your place was the hottest spot in town. The addition of a doorman, velvet ropes and even hired photographers can complete the transformation from normal club or bar to chic nightspot. Check out SignArtEtc’s backdrop packages that come complete with display stand and red carpet.

Strike a Pose
What would a fashionable after party be without the chance to vogue for the cameras? Setting up a small runway flanked by your backdrop can be a great way to give your guests the chance to strut their stuff on the catwalk! Try and create a snappy hashtag to encourage your guests to share their pictures on social media.

Hire an M.C.
Take a cue from Hollywood and hire a combination master of ceremonies/interviewer to go around getting your guests excited, make jokes, announce events, guide patrons to your designated photo areas and ask them “Who are you wearing?” If you can have someone filming these pseudo-interviews, this can be great promotional material for your next shindig, showing happy guests having a great time.

Host a Raffle or Give Out Prizes
Dancing and socializing over drinks can be fun, but to make this party a can’t-miss entertainment destination you need something to take it to the next level. A raffle – where entrants get the chance to win beauty products, gift certificates to local clothing shops or even some donated couture designs – can be the perfect way to amp up the party and keep guests around until later in the evening. Alternatively, awarding prizes for the most extravagant and lavish outfits can do the trick as well.

Fashion-Swap
If you want to give your party a bit more of an interactive quality, consider making it a fashion swap. Have your guests bring with them freshly laundered outfits they no longer wear and other fashionable articles of clothing they don’t mind parting with. Consolidate all the clothing, making it easy for guests to sort through. Set up a private dressing room area for guests who want to try on the outfits, as well as a spot for them to model and be photographed in their newly created looks. If at the end of the night there are any outfits left unclaimed, donate these articles of clothing to a local charity.

When setting up a fashionable after party, you want to give your guests the forum to be their most fabulous selves. That’s where Sign Art Etc can help. We specialize in custom step and repeats, the perfect complement to all your party ideas. Contact us today to learn more.