Our Story · Winter Park Fashion Week
Born From Community.
Built With Purpose.
Winter Park Fashion Week began with a simple belief: when our small businesses thrive, our entire community thrives.
2025 · Photo: Cristy Linscott Photography
Where it began
More than storefronts.
Our community.
In the wake of COVID-19, our local boutiques and retailers were facing unprecedented challenges. These businesses were more than storefronts. They were our neighbors, our friends, and an essential part of what makes Winter Park such a special place to live, work, and visit.
We saw an opportunity to do something meaningful.
What started as a vision to bring people back into our stores, showcase our incredible local businesses, and create economic activity throughout Winter Park and the surrounding region became Winter Park Fashion Week.
Our goal was never just to create a beautiful runway show. It was to shine a spotlight on the entrepreneurs, boutiques, designers, and creative professionals who make our community extraordinary.
And something remarkable happened along the way.
A fashion event created to support small businesses grew into a tradition of giving back.
Today, Winter Park Fashion Week continues to champion our local economy while dedicating its event proceeds to supporting charitable organizations making a difference in our community.
Each year, we select a charitable beneficiary whose mission reflects our commitment to making Central Florida a stronger, healthier, and more compassionate place.
Economic Development
More Than a Runway.
An Investment in Our Region.
Winter Park Fashion Week was founded with economic development at its heart, and that mission continues to guide us today.
What began as an initiative to support local boutiques and small businesses following COVID-19 has grown into a meaningful driver of community engagement, charitable giving, and regional economic opportunity.
As we celebrate our sixth annual event in 2027, we estimate that Winter Park Fashion Week could generate more than $1.1 million in cumulative event-related economic activity, reflecting the collective power of our guests, sponsors, participating businesses, and community partners.
Each year, our event brings together hundreds of guests, showcases local boutiques and designers, and creates opportunities that extend beyond the runway—from dining and hospitality to shopping, creative services, and meaningful business connections.
More than $1.1 million
Estimated cumulative event-related economic activity through 2027
But our greatest success isn’t measured in dollars alone.
It’s measured in
- the small businesses we help elevate
- the relationships we build
- the charitable organizations we support
- the lasting traditions we create together
Because when our local businesses thrive, our entire community benefits.
Economic impact figure represents an illustrative projection of gross event-related spending through 2027, rather than an independently verified economic-impact study.
Our charitable chapters
Six Years of
Fashion With Purpose
Our runway has become a platform for more than style. It has become a celebration of community generosity and meaningful impact.
Over $100,000
raised for our community
2022
Year One
AdventHealth Heart & Vascular Institute
Our inaugural event supported heart and vascular health, helping bring awareness and support to an important healthcare mission in our community.
2023
Year Two
Touched by Type 1
We proudly supported Touched by Type 1 and its work uplifting individuals and families affected by Type 1 diabetes.
2024
Year Three
One Heart for Women and Children
Our third year celebrated the mission of One Heart for Women and Children, an organization dedicated to helping families and individuals facing difficult circumstances.
2025
Year Four
AdventHealth Breast Cancer
We turned our runway into an opportunity to support breast cancer awareness, care, and the important work of AdventHealth.
2026
Year Five
Runway to Hope
In 2026, Winter Park Fashion Week proudly supported Runway to Hope, contributing $35,167 to help further its mission of supporting children and families affected by pediatric cancer.
2027
Year Six
REED Charitable Foundation
For 2027, we are proud to name REED Charitable Foundation as our charitable beneficiary.
Meet our 2027 beneficiary →
2026 · Runway to Hope
$35,167
Contributed to help further Runway to Hope’s mission of supporting children and families affected by pediatric cancer.
2027 · Our next chapter
REED Charitable Foundation
Through its commitment to literacy, education, and empowering teachers, REED is helping create opportunities for children to thrive.
And as we celebrate our sixth annual event with the theme UNWRITTEN, this partnership feels especially meaningful.
Because every child deserves the opportunity to write their own story.
Fashion With PurposeThe photo chapters
The moments that brought us here.
Chapter VI
Now being written
Our story is still being written.
February 20, 2027
Full Sail Live, Winter Park, Florida
Chapter V
Photos: Cristy Linscott Photography
Chapter IV
March 1, 2025
Photos: Cristy Linscott Photography
Chapter III
Photos: Cristy Linscott Photography
Chapter II
Photos: Cristy Linscott Photography
Chapter I
The story continues
What began as an effort to help local businesses during one of their most challenging times has grown into an annual celebration of fashion, philanthropy, and community.
Every boutique that participates, every sponsor who believes in our mission, every model who donates their time, and every guest who attends becomes part of something bigger.
Together, we are supporting local businesses, creating economic opportunities, celebrating creativity, and giving back to the community that brought us together.
Fashion brought us together. Community gave us purpose. And our story is still being written.
BE PART OF OUR STORY