Since its founding in 2017, Fredericksburg Fashion Week has grown from a grassroots gathering of designers and entrepreneurs into one of the city’s most dynamic cultural movements. What began as a small showcase has become a celebrated platform that empowers creativity, strengthens community, and shines a light on opportunity. Today, Fredericksburg Fashion Week unites designers, models, artists, and innovators under one banner, proving that fashion is more than style—it’s a catalyst for confidence and change.
This year, we are proud to celebrate a milestone moment. On Sept. 9, 2025, Mayor Devine issued a proclamation officially declaring the day as Style and Success Day, honoring fashion’s role in building self-esteem and opportunity. In addition, October 1–4, 2025, has been formally recognized as Fredericksburg Fashion Week. These declarations reflect the city’s growing recognition of fashion as a vehicle for empowerment and progress.
At the heart of this year’s Fashion Week is our new partnership with Rappahannock Goodwill Industries. Goodwill has long been a cornerstone of workforce development, providing critical resources to help individuals build careers and confidence. Together, we are showing how style can be a key element that truly changes lives and opens doors to success.
Goodwill’s model is rooted in resilience and self-reliance, powered by donations from the community that fuel training, jobs, and opportunity. Over the past 20 years, Rappahannock Goodwill has served more than 144,000 people and placed 16,000 into local jobs—including 1,800 placements just last year. In 2024 alone, its programs supported 12,000 individuals while operating 15 stores, 21 donation centers and three career centers. By keeping more than six million pounds of materials out of landfills annually, Goodwill’s work not only empowers people but also reflects a commitment to being responsible stewards of community resources.
“This partnership is about more than fashion—it’s where our missions meet to create a platform that blends style with community resources, empowering our community together,” said Sofia De Hoyos, Senior Director of Marketing.
Spotlight on Local Talent
This season also brings the launch of our official digital series, Whose Style Is It Anyway?. Created in partnership with Rappahannock Goodwill and broadcast on YouTube, the program blends creativity with community. Each episode challenges local models to build a complete outfit in just ten minutes using items sourced from Goodwill’s donations. The result is a showcase that highlights both fashion ingenuity and the power of repurposed style.
More than a fun competition, the series celebrates individuality, spotlights regional designers and amplifies voices that deserve to be heard—while underscoring how donated clothing directly fuels opportunities and programs across Fredericksburg.
Fredericksburg Fashion Week’s mission is simply “We are more than just fashion”. If you’d like to learn more about Goodwill and our partnership, we’d love to share additional details with you. You can visit our partnership page for highlights of the work we’re doing together, or explore our website to see how Goodwill continues to create opportunities and strengthen communities.
A week of style and celebration
From Oct. 1-4, the city will come alive with creativity, history, and fashion.
Highlights include:
- Oct. 2 – Chatham Manor Tours: Free tours of the historic estate, photo opportunities in its gardens, and a special gift card for guests who tag Fredericksburg Fashion Week.
- Oct. 3– Art and Slay: Hyatt Place will host an evening of art, music, and culture featuring 12 regional artists, with select works auctioned to support our mission.
- Oct. 4 – Main Runway Event: From 6-9 p.m. at Hyatt Place, the runway comes alive with regional talent. VIPs will enjoy outdoor garden seating, with general admission inside the venue.
As president and executive producer, I am deeply proud of how far we’ve come since 2017. Fredericksburg Fashion Week is not just about what we wear — it is about who we are as a community. With an official proclamation, a powerful partnership with Rappahannock Goodwill, the launch of a new digital series and a vibrant schedule of events, this year’s celebration will be one of the most inspiring yet.
LaToya White is president and executive producer of Fredericksburg Fashion Week.
Editor’s note: This article was provided by Goodwill Rappahannock Industries, a corporate sponsor of the Fredericksburg Free Press. As part of its continued partnership with Goodwill, the Free Press will publish bi-monthly articles highlighting its programs and projects in our region helping people find jobs, gain new skills and build brighter futures. Content has been edited for clarity and style by the editorial staff.
