Fashion show to introduce new business, owners say will revolutionize the way people approach formal wear

Two women will introduce a new dress rental service with an “Under the Sea” fashion show on March 16 at the Hayden Fairgrounds, 398 S. Poplar St.

“It’s really expensive to buy a dress that you’ll only wear once,” said Nicole Longo, who organized the fashion show with her friend Liz Spinazzola. “The idea is to showcase the dresses that are here in town and available for rent. We want to revolutionize the way people approach formal wear and give people the joy of wearing a great dress without the financial burden. I wanted to create an opportunity for people to experience that.”

The upcoming fashion show will be held inside the exhibit hall at the fairgrounds, and the event will serve as a way to introduce the new Hayden-based dress rental business to northwest Colorado.

The business offers gently used dresses, often new or only worn once. The dress has been dry cleaned and is available for rental. Longo and Spinazzola came up with the idea after realizing their closet was full of expensive dresses they had only worn once.

At the fashion show, while the spotlight was on the dresses being prepared and the models walking down the runway, the two women wanted to make the event a fun time with delicious food, drinks, and a DJ to create a party atmosphere. There is.

During the show, a numbering system is used to help the audience easily identify their favorite dresses as models parade around the stage.

“We have a little system where people can write down which dresses they like and contact us,” Longo said. “Then you can either deliver the dress to them or have us in Hayden pick it up.”

For now, the dresses are being stored between Longo and Spinazzola’s homes, but the women eventually plan to move the business to a commercial property currently under construction and open a brick-and-mortar store.

The fashion show begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by a party where those who purchase a VIP ticket receive access to the lounge area for $50, where guests can enjoy appetizers, visit the makeup bar, and enter a raffle. You can automatically join. Attendees will receive a gift bag and a front row seat to the show.

Doors open for general admission ticket holders at 6:30 p.m. General admission tickets are $30 each and include an appetizer, drink and a small goody bag commemorating the event. Additional raffle tickets can be purchased at the door for a chance to win other prizes.

The dress rental business and show is the vision of Spinazzola and Longo, who own their own business. Spinnazola owns a salon in Hayden called Manes and More By Mermaid that offers beauty, cosmetics and personal care services. Longo runs Solstice Collective, a company dedicated to giving children the opportunity to make hand-tied rosaries and make night lights out of solar-powered mason jars at the Farmers’ Market booth. I am.

“We are looking into introducing dress rental opportunities for people who need dresses year-round,” Spinazzola said. “We’re going to show them off at a fashion show so people can see what they can access here in Routt County without the financial burden of investing.”

The women also believe that the dress rental business will also appeal to travelers visiting the region who need a dress or don’t want to go through the hassle of packing one for a special event or night out. I hope that it will appeal to the public as well. town.

Tickets are on sale at Eventbrite, or scan the QR code on the Hayden and Steamboat event poster. Tickets can also be purchased at the door on the night of the show, subject to availability. VIP tickets are limited in number. The women said a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Hayden Valley School.

“We hope the fashion show becomes an annual event in Routt County,” Spinazzola said. “We decided to do this because it’s a little difficult to shop at Hayden, especially for prom or gala dresses, even though there are so many beautiful gowns and dresses.”

The women estimate they currently have about 200 dresses in their collection, but the selection of suits and dress items for men is smaller..

“Everything is unique, so it’s not about ‘Who wore it better?’ No one can wear the same dress in this situation,” Spinazzola said. “We really have a huge collection.”

Longo feels that a dress rental business has long been needed in Northwest Colorado, and that a dress rental business would help local residents empty their bank accounts or fill their closets with dresses they’ll only wear once. It will help you dress up for a special event without having to worry about it.

“Many opportunities will be featured, including Dance Theater, Cabaret Dancing with the Stars, Yampa Valley Autism Masquerade Ball, and high school dances,” Longo said. “There are many reasons why people dress up, but these dresses are very expensive to buy.”