Retrofittings Fashion Show returns to raise funds as SVDP sees an increase in need

CINCINNATI (WKRC) – The Retrofittings Fashion Show returns for its 19th year to Music Hall Thursday.

It’s a night of creativity and a way to make a huge impact in the community. Saint Vincent de Paul partners every year with University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning to feature young students’ fashion designs on the runway.

About 45 students’ designs are featured in this year’s fashion show. The students were tasked to design looks out of only recycled materials from Saint Vincent de Paul’s thrift stores as part of the fundraiser’s “Better Together” theme.

Guests will also get a look inside the creative design process.

Before guests take a seat for the runway show, they can shop for pieces from Saint Vincent de Paul’s thrift stores via a pop-up shop. Guests will also be able to take part in a silent and live auction too.

The organization provides resources like homelessness prevention, a pharmacy, and food pantry.

“We get to help with housing, we get to help with food, we get to help with keeping the electricity on if that’s what the problem is. So again, addressing the root of the issue is what we get to help do,” said Kaytlynd Lainhart of Saint Vincent de Paul.

This year, Saint Vincent de Paul says the need for resources like this is higher than ever.

“The increase in need that we’re seeing is a mix of a lot of issues. It’s inflation, it’s addiction, it’s mental health. It’s a combination of issues and how they play on each other, even systems that exist. When someone comes to us, they may be saying ‘hey, I’m struggling to keep food on the table,’ or, ‘I’m struggling to feed my family.’ But the reason is their rent is really high or their medications are far more expensive than they can afford. But their health and home is their first priority. We get to serve the whole thing,” said Lainhart.

Saint Vincent de Paul raised $200,000 at last year’s show and hopes to surpass that number this year.

The organization is also always looking for volunteers to help.

Retrofittings Fashion Show is Thursday, October 24 beginning at 6 p.m.

Tickets are available HERE.