RECAP: Rise & Bloom — The 2nd Annual Fashion Show Fundraiser 2025
Under the glowing lights of the Fairfield Theatre Company Warehouse, the Rise & Bloom Fashion Show Fundraiser united local fashion brands and community supporters with a heartfelt mission. Hosted by Family Reentry Community Resources for Justice (FRECRJ) in collaboration with Sixty by Vernice, the evening blended style, community, and purpose. Guests mingled in a vibrant atmosphere as supporters, sponsors, designers, models, family, and friends gathered—turning the venue into a celebration of renewal and resilience.
The Theme: “Leftovers” — A Story of Redemption
This year’s theme, “Leftovers,” transformed fashion into a platform for second chances and new beginnings. It was more than a creative concept—it was a story of restoration. Graduates of Family Reentry’s RISE program—formerly incarcerated women rebuilding their lives—walked the runway alongside professional models, embodying courage and transformation through every step.
For designer Vernice Holmes, founder of Sixty by Vernice, the show was an opportunity to highlight local designers while fundraising for Family Reentry and shining a creative spotlight on the Women of RISE. Now in her second year curating the show, Holmes continues to merge fashion with purpose, using the runway as a space for healing and empowerment.
Designers Who Brought the Vision to Life
The stage came alive with creative energy from a diverse mix of designers:
Jayden “Strizz” Pressey of The Strizz Collection added streetwear flair and bold attitude.
Jessica Licata and Alison Vitolo of EqualsHuman celebrated sustainability and arts education with meaningful designs supporting second chances.
Mcheretic Cosplay Designs transformed the runway with vibrant Transformer-inspired creations, filling the stage with color and power.
Power Pieces Accessories delivered bold comic-book-inspired statements that redefined wearable art.
Alex Boulder provided their exquisite jewelry, Dmarxx provided their custom-made leather bags, while Dini Rosenberg took on the grand undertaking of doing the makeup for all the models.
And Holmes’s own “Sixty by Vernice” collection—with her signature art-on-fabric prints—stood out for its vibrant colors, luxury craftsmanship, and symbolic storytelling, mirroring the individuality of each woman who wore them.
A highlight of the night was seeing a RISE program participant owning the runway in a vibrant, custom-made DreamCoat—a look co-created to reflect her personal journey.
Each garment told a story of transformation, turning the catwalk into a living, breathing art gallery of redemption.
The “Leftover Collection” — Creativity Blooms from Scraps
The “Leftover Collection” emerged from five creative workshop sessions led by Vernice and the Women of RISE. Using donated and upcycled fabrics, participants hand-painted, stitched, and reimagined garments into wearable art. The process symbolized renewal—turning what was once discarded into something beautiful and whole again.
Patchworked denim jackets, painted phrases of empowerment, and colorful trims were transformed into high-fashion pieces that radiated meaning and significance. Just like the women who made them, each piece was restored with purpose and love. As the models took their final walk, the audience responded with cheers, tears, and standing ovations.
More than a fashion show, Rise & Bloom was an experience of the soul. Live music from Band Central electrified the room, as guests swayed and models danced down the runway in rhythm with the beat. The atmosphere was part runway, part revival—filled with laughter, energy, and heartfelt emotion. Media personality Dee Rivera opened the show with words of inspiration, setting the tone for the evening. Spoken-word narrations and video stories are woven into each collection, offering the audience an intimate glimpse into the women’s journeys. The night closed with a powerful collective bow from all participants—designers, models, and RISE women united in victory. The warehouse felt transformed into a sanctuary of joy, creativity, and healing.
Backstage, the atmosphere buzzed with nervous excitement and sisterly support. Designers made last-minute adjustments, hairstylists added extra sparkle, and women exchanged affirmations.
“You got this, girl,” one designer whispered, hands on her model’s shoulders before showtime. These quiet moments of encouragement were as moving as anything on stage—a reminder that community and compassion stitched the event together as tightly as any garment.
Guests included community leaders, sponsors, and Connecticut’s fashion elite—all united by the event’s emotional depth. One attendee said, “I’ve been to Fashion Week, but this gave me chills in a whole new way.”
Many called for the event to become an annual tradition—and it will. Organizers are already planning for next year’s expansion due to the overwhelming response and impact. But the most powerful words came from the women themselves.
Sara, a RISE participant and model, shared:
“Participating in the fashion show was especially empowering after returning home from incarceration. It allowed us to pamper ourselves, personalize our looks, and celebrate our womanhood after being stripped of our individuality and anything that differentiated us from others.”
Her words drew nods and tears from the audience—capturing the essence of what Rise & Bloom stands for: renewal, dignity, and divine transformation.
A Runway Revolution of Hope
The Rise & Bloom Fashion Show Fundraiser 2025 was more than a fashion event—it was a runway revolution of hope, proving that everyone deserves a second chance. Every element, from the glowing venue to the upcycled fabrics, reflected a powerful truth: beauty can be reborn from what was once overlooked.
As guests departed, hearts full and spirits lifted, one message lingered—Couture and compassion are always in style.
