By showcasing an evening of stilettos and varietals from top winemakers, The Faison Center is setting up the perfect “girls’ night out” when it hosts its first Wine Women & Shoes (WWS) celebration on Thursday, Nov. 14. This evening of fashion and compassion will raise funds for Faison’s Early Education Center, which serves pre-school aged children with autism.
“With such a dynamic program like Wine Women & Shoes, we hope to introduce more people to the great work under way in Faison’s EEC,” said Ty Toepke, Faison’s vice president of development. “This is a great opportunity to embrace an important cause while enjoying an evening of fun with a few surprises for everyone. It’s also a great way to get an early start on some holiday shopping.”
WWS events blend wine tastings and a marketplace featuring clothes, handbags and jewelry, giving attendees a chance to give back while also enjoying a fun-filled evening with friends. Featured wines will include partners such as Tattoo Girl in California and local winery Jolene Family, among others.
Special activities include “Best in Shoe,” where judges will be watching attendees’ footsteps to select the most stellar stilettos (or perhaps sneakers?) for a unique prize. At the Wall of Wine, guests can try their hand at finding a rare or sparkling vintage from among 80 bottles all with their labels disguised.
The evening also will include silent and live auctions, and a Key to the Closet raffle as well as delicious culinary bites. Rounding out the fun will be a fashion show produced by students in Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Fashion Design and Merchandising.
The Faison Center opened its doors 25 years ago as a school serving children with autism using evidence-based practices to improve their life’s journey. Since then, Faison has expanded to serve individuals of all ages with autism and related challenges.
“By providing critical treatment earlier, we can change a child’s whole trajectory,” Toepke said. “When you join us at WWS, you will see how you personally can have a huge impact on these children and their families.”
WWS will be held at the Science Museum of Virginia’s Dewey Gottwald Center on Nov. 14 from 6-9:30 p.m. Tickets are available at www.winewomenandshoes.com/richmond, starting at $125.
Founded in Napa Valley in 2005, WWS is a national event series that lets women put their most generous foot forward. With events in more than 200 U.S. cities, the series helped net more than $125 million for various causes.
