AUGUSTA — Roommates Heather Veilleux and Jordan Richards have embarked on careers in New York City, so for them, Saturday night’s Maine’s Fashion Night Out is a chance to reconnect with their roots and help others in need of healing.
The pair both grew up and went to school in central Maine, and are now finding their way in the business world in New York — Veilleux as an entrepreneur, Richards as a fashion designer.
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Maine’s Fashion Night Out is a fashion show featuring Richards’ designs shown by local models. It also features musical performances and comedy.
All proceeds from the event will go to Passionately Pink for the Cure, a Susan G. Komen for the Cure program. Veilleux said many of her family and close friends have been affected by cancer in the past few years, motivating her to found Heels to Healing, an unincorporated nonprofit organization based in Augusta, through which Maine’s Fashion Night Out was organized.
“I wanted to do something to help people in need of healing, when they need support the most,” she said of founding Heels to Healing.
Richards grew up in Whitefield and graduated from Cony High School in Augusta in 2006, before moving to Manhattan to chase her dreams of becoming a fashion designer. She attended Parsons The New School for Design, receiving a bachelor’s degree in fine arts, and works full time as an assistant designer for Polo Ralph Lauren designing knitwear for girls. She also designs her own fashions. And those designs will be featured Saturday at River Back Dance Club in downtown Augusta, worn by 22 models.
“To some fashion is silly, but fashion affects us all — it is one of the first choices you make in the morning whether you care about it or not,” Richards said in an email. “It affects the way we feel. We want to help women, and men, being affected by this sickness to feel better about themselves, to lighten their spirits and hearts, and raise money. That is why people should come — come out to support a great cause. So many of us have been touched by this, whether a grandmother, an aunt, a friend or yourself.”
The event will also feature comedian Michael Trautman and musicians Sam Shain, Emma Holey and Tom Tash, and the band Acoustic Chi.
Veilleux, 21, who grew up in Hallowell and attended Hall-Dale schools, is a senior at Berkeley College in New York City, where she is also working full time as a real estate agent at Bold New York.
She said the show will be a one-of-a-kind event.
“Most Mainers have probably never been to a fashion show or a fashion night out,” Veilleux said. “They should expect to have a great time. If you enjoy supporting your community, getting out and having a good time, donating to charity, listening to some great music, laughing and enjoying new things, this is the event for you.”
The event is Saturday at 7 p.m. at River Back Dance Club on Water Street. Tickets are $20 for adults, $12 for children, or $45 for a family. They are available online through www.heelstohealing.com or at the door, although space is limited. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. There will be a cash bar, and snacks. Dress for the event is business casual.
Keith Edwards — 621-5647
kedwards@centralmaine.com
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