By Emma Wilkerson
Nearly every seat was full upstairs at the New Vintage Place in Grand Rapids as the lights began to go down and Liz Haan, 30, Caledonia, owner and founder of Boutiques of West Michigan fashion show, greeted the crowd.
She thanked each store and person that made this Oct. 26 event happen. Twenty six women owned businesses were a part of making this event happen. Around 6:30 pm, people began to take their seats and the music began to play. The energy was high as the models began to walk the runway.
Each boutique was announced and had at least 10 models walk the stores’ latest and upcoming styles. From fur coats to pleated skirts there was something everyone in the crowd could find to wear this upcoming winter. Before the models went out, they were very excited and nervous to walk the runway. Most of the models were moms, business owners, fitness instructors, employees of the stores, friends, models from Matthew Model Agency, and frequent shoppers at the boutiques.
In an interview with Haan she said, “The reason behind Boutiques of West Michigan is, for one, to bring all the boutiques together. Technically, in the real world, we are competition but we can come together and be a team, which is awesome for this event and then just supporting women in small business(es).”
Before the fashion show, attendees began to arrive and shop. The bar was open and Le Bon Macaron had a display of macarons the guests could choose from as they began to shop through the pop up stores.
Although the rain was pouring down Saturday evening, the show was sold out and the crowd seemed excited to be apart of it.
Elle Walters, 20, a Hope College student, was in the audience Saturday with her mom and shopped at many of the pop up stores.
“I loved it!” Walter said. “The whole fashion show and then shopping is such a good combination because you get to see how you can style the clothes.”
Walters also appreciated how a lot of the boutiques had discounts either that night or for a future purchase.
Nicole Hensh, 30, Grand Rapids, Manager at To&Fro Activewear said, “Being a part of BoWM is one of out highlights for the year. It is such a unique experience that highlights women-owned boutiques.”
BoWM also is teamed up with Mackenzie Animal Sanctuary and Rays of Hope International. Mackenzie Animal Sanctuary’s main goal is to place homeless dogs in loving and caring homes. Rays of Hope International supports organizations in third world countries. Each organization had a booth at the event and got part of the proceeds from the tickets sales. The next BoWM show will support other charity organizations.
The next fashion show will be this coming spring with some of the same boutiques and some changes as other stores become involved.
