Austin Fashion Week is more than designers, models, and local fashion enthusiasts coming together to celebrate style. As the fourth-largest fashion week in the U.S., AFW is also a collection of charitable partnerships and social causes. From their Style Strutters to their show partners, AFW is giving back to the Austin community & celebrating our creatives simultaneously.

Austin Fashion Week Partners with ACC Fashion Incubator

The ACC Fashion Incubator is supported by a number of local partners: The City of Austin Economic Development Department, Macy’s at Barton Creek Square Mall, Gerber Technology, Cosette Marbled Designs, and private donors. With fashion courses, residency programs, and community master classes, the Fashion Incubator provides support and education for fashion designers and fashion businesses.

On Sunday at 1:30, The ACC Fashion Incubator is presenting 5 designers from current and past cohorts including design GirlsWorld, Faire Sauvage, Lost Generation, Onyx d’Or, Rytherko, and Taumeti.

Austin Style Strutters

Austin Fashion Week promotes Style Strutters for each show from among Austin’s most well-known social & business success stories that are also dedicated to the Austin community. A portion of proceeds from the runway shows will benefit the wonderful charities selected by this season’s Style Strutters Pamela Hurley, Leslie Wingo, Rhonda Hissey, and Bridget Ramey.

Style Strutter Pamela Hurley

Pamela is an executive board member and Ice Ball Chair 2023 of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas, and has selected BBBS to receive a portion of Saturday’s 1:30 tickets. If you’d like to learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters, please visit www.bigmentoring.org.

Showing brands include: Abstraction Design, AL+LU Apparel, Bailey Heyman, Cabriolle, Choix Fashion Brand, Eesa Rani Style, Espiritu Libre, Kweens Royal Tees, M. Jeanne Apparel, Stater Designs, Sunflower by Race Austyn and Yulia Fashion House.

Style Strutter Leslie Wingo

Leslie is a local legend in the advertising world as head of Sanders\Wingo, a Texas-based independent creative agency, and an in-demand speaker challenging stereotypes and advocating for women and minorities. She selected Leadership Austin to receive a portion of Saturday’s 3:30 tickets. Fun fact, as a student at the University of Texas, I actually pitched a KFC campaign to Leslie and Sanders\Wingo as part of my senior campaigns course.

You can read my pre-show interview with Leslie here!

Showing brands include: Alexandria Lee Designs, Austin Ariana, Bibiane New York, Create Me Rocky, Fashion Junkie Club, Garden Art Denim, Keodisty Gooding, Luxeswim, Maivans, Misunderstood by Eddie, Sada Baltimore, Swankki, Virtuous and Young Gods.

Style Strutter Rhonda Hissey

Rhonda won the WSL raffle prize at their fashion luncheon in September 2024 to become their representation on the AFW runway, following in the footsteps of Alexis Simón Moore @lexiworldtravel. Rhonda walks on Sunday, November 12 at 1:30. She has chosen that a portion of ticket proceeds will benefit The Women’s Symphony League of Austin.

Additional showing brands include: Banbury Saints, Gustavia, Irma’s Bridal, Lillian Jenae Designs, Lorenza’s and Regina’s Couture.

Style Strutter Bridget Ramey

If you’re looking for unique luxury homes in beautiful West Austin and along the waterfronts, you’ve probably heard of Bridget Ramey. She has sold more than $40 million in real estate in 2023. Bridget has selected The Center for Child Protection to receive a charitable portion of AFW ticket sales this fall. I have to say, this charity selection hits close to home since it is also one of the charities my sorority, Kappa Delta, also supports.

Showing brands include: Art by Hannah Hannah, Brown Eyed Girl Boutique, CasasRojas, Elly Abels Design, Eneri Reign Couture, Honey + Fatale, Livvie Star Company, MAIKG, Nehanda & Co. Apparel, Second Self, Sewreffic and Sheila Abigail.

Austin Fashion Week Partners with the Austin Area Urban League

Saturday’s 3:30 PM Show is presented in partnership with the Austin Area Urban League. AAUL provides scholarship opportunities specifically to support Black designers in Austin and beyond. In 2014 the Urban League provided a grant that enabled ten Black designers (of nearly sixty designers) the opportunity to show their collections at Austin Fashion Week.

Support Austin Fashion and Get Your AFW Tickets Today!

There are three ticket types available for the 2023 season:

• all access badges give you tickets to all 5 shows (3 on Saturday, 2 on Sunday)
• Saturday or Sunday runway tickets get you access to both shows (1:30 and 3:30 on the day you choose)
• VIP upgrades are available on all tickets

Morgan ma Belle will be at the end of the runway to capture some of the best looks.  Hope to see you there cheering on your favorite Style Strutter and supporting these great charities!

For AFW tickets go to www.FashionbyEvents.com

Cover photo used with permission from Austin Fashion Week