Show your passion for fashion in Charlotte

Correspondent

Now in its third year, Passport for Fashion, a fashion showcase plus more, is gearing up for its April 20 debut.

And with a focus on Hollywood glamour and style, the night is slated to be a good time.

Originally called Miles of Impact, PFF was created with a vision of establishing and showcasing Charlotte as a fashion city.

But a simple fashion show alone just wouldn’t cut it.

Instead, show creators, Charlotte Seen, led by Rita Miles, added performers, artists and recyclable garments that could really showcase the talents of designers.

With two shows completed, the team has been hard at work.

More than 120 volunteers help make the show come together, each who has a specific role that helps create the final show.

Michele Barrett, back of house director, serves as a liaison for the models to the designers to the makeup artists and salons.

“I like to stay in constant communication with the designers, the models, and the salons to have a successful show,” she says. “The day of the event, the back of house consists of 10-15 other volunteers that assist in wardrobe styling, making sure that models are paired up with their designer and hair and makeup artist. We make sure all is run smoothly behind the scenes and that every run of show is timed correctly.”

Barrett said that event attendants can look forward to more than 170 looks this year, some from featured designers, emerging designers, and a few from local boutiques, and perhaps the most interesting, many from recyclable designers. Think “Project Runway” in eco-style: designers create garments with an avant garde end product.

Ryan Philemon, part of the show’s creative team, promises a vintage theme with attire, music and décor from the 20s through the 50s.

While the look and appeal for Passport for Fashion may be positioned as a fun fete for fashionistas, the true focusshows the talent in the Queen City and its variety from grace and class to grunge and soul.

And it’s an opportunity to meet and mingle with others in the area who enjoy similar things.

But just as important is the goal of raising money for Project HALO, a nonprofit and no-kill animal rescue based in Charlotte. Twenty percent of the profits earned from the evening go to the local organization; in 2012, more than $3,500 was donated.