Page 22 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2023

COAST NOTE
Barbiecore
Fashion Takes the Stage
The worlds of Barbiecore fashion and Gulf Coast celebrities will collide and strut the runway this month during an edgy and elegant annual fundraiser
for the Bacot Foundation of South Mississippi.
Renaissance the Runway ‘Barbie Edition’ is set for September 21 at
the IP Casino Resort Spa in Biloxi, and it promises to be a Barbie-tastic show. The Barbie-dream-world on a catwalk event will highlight about 70 Gulf Coast community leaders and local celebrities to raise money for the community outreach foundation that serves underprivileged youth through educational and art programs.
“We will have quite a few kids this year and that’s something different,” said Todd Trenchard, executive director
of the Bacot Foundation of South
story by Cherie Ward photo by Leo Ridge Mississippi. “And we always have a few
surprises. Those who attended last year will remember we had a pig that came out as a model. So of course, we’ll have to do something just as unique. Maybe a little elephant.”
In addition to the fashion show, the night will feature a live auction with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting dozens of charitable organizations. Last year, Renaissance the Runway collectively raised more than $200,000 that went directly back into South Mississippi communities.
“It’s a way to connect our business community with local people,” Trenchard said. “We use local models and local boutiques from across the region and it’s been tremendously successful.
He added the fashion fundraiser has
turned into a signature event and has grown immensely since its inauguration in 2016. He hopes to exceed totals raised in previous years.
“It’s turned out to be the foundation’s largest and most complex endeavor,” Trenchard said. “We could never
do this without the support of our local community and the best group
of volunteers anywhere on the Gulf Coast.”
The show is expected to draw more than 500 people and promises to be a night of over-the-top, high Barbie fashion, lots of smiles and laughter, generous donations, and love for the entire community.
Now, come on Barbie, let’s go party, and raise a ton of money for a great cause – the Bacot Foundation of South Mississippi.
Sponsored by
www.bacotfoundation.org
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
$200,000 was raised at the event last year. 22 | September 2023