NEW ORLEANS — Dress for Success New Orleans will hold its annual Suits & Salads Luncheon & Fundraiser at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Friday, May 11, to benefit their programs promoting economic independence of women in the community.
This year’s event will feature a panel of empowering speakers including Carolyn Elder, VP/General Manager of Saks Fifth Avenue New Orleans; Ellen Macomber, renowned local designer and artist; and Crystal McDonald, Founder and CEO of Acrew. There will also be a silent auction, giveaways from Kendra Scott, cocktails, and an exciting raffle courtesy of Friend and Company.
The event will also feature the Empowerment Fashion Show presented by Saks Fifth Avenue. Local civic activists and Dress for Success New Orleans’ clients will walk the runway in a mix of looks from Saks Fifth Avenue and Dress for Success New Orleans. The presentation of this year’s Dress for Success Client of the Year and her story will also be a highlight of the luncheon.
Proceeds from the 2018 luncheon will help Dress for Success New Orleans meet its goal of suiting 400+ women annually.
“This annual luncheon is our biggest fundraiser of the year and is so important to us because it not only helps raise much needed funds but also raises more awareness about the many programs we offer to change lives,” said Meaghan Bonavita, President of the New Orleans local affiliate. And change is what Dress for Success offers to their clients—helping women in transition and promoting economic independence. And it all starts with a suit.
The fundraiser brings together supporters from the New Orleans community and beyond to celebrate and support the organization’s mission of empowering women by providing professional attire, a network of support and career development tools to help them thrive in work and in life. Clients are invited to attend a monthly networking meeting called the Professional Women’s Group which addresses financial literacy, work/life balance, and health and wellness. Clients also receive enhanced services including resume writing and access to the Career Center.
“The work that Dress for Success New Orleans does not only impacts the women that we serve, but also their families and the community,” said Bonavita. “When a woman gets a job and becomes financially independent, she can provide for her family and she sets a positive example for her children. Our clients come from every walk of life, every ethnicity and education level. They all have one thing in common: they want to do better. Dress for Success New Orleans provides that network of support to help them achieve their goals. We offer a hand up, not a hand out. “
Event Program:
11:00 a.m. Doors open for registration, silent auction bidding, specialty cocktails
12:15 p.m. Lunch, Dress for Success Client Success Story, Empowerment Fashion Show, keynote panel discussion, volunteer of the year presentation and raffle
Silent Auction Highlights: Spa services, hotel stays, restaurant gift cards, home decor, apparel, jewelry, children’s items, and more.
Ticket Information:
$85 General Admission
$150 Patron Sponsor
$700 Network Sponsor
$1,400 Development Sponsor
$2,500 Confidence Sponsor
For Tickets/Sponsorships and Silent Auction Bidding/Raffle Purchases go to: www.501auctions.com/dressforsuccessnola
​- by Alexa Harrison, associate news editor
