Page 24 - South Mississippi Living - November, 2024

PEOPLE
Renaissance the Runway Hits All the High Notes
runway show with
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster photos by Leo Ridge
and Nadiya Copeland
It’s the Gulf Coast’s one and only
a fabulous cause – Renaissance the Runway
– and it recently raised more than $200,000 for community needs.
The Bacot Foundation of South Mississippi annually
hosts the fashion fundraiser
and this year the bejeweled show had a Taylor Swift theme. Held at IP Casino Resort Spa, the dazzling event will now help dozens of community charitable organizations, especially those with youth programs.
The spectacular night was
presented by IP Casino Resort Spa, Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, the Butch Oustalet Foundation, and South Mississippi Living magazine. The runway strut and stroll featured about 20 local boutiques and shops styling more than 60 community members shining on a shimmering stage. About a third of the models
were children, which Bacot Foundation Executive Director Todd Trenchard said was intentional this year.
“The kids are always the highlight of the show,” he said, adding the foundation has high school student volunteers who return year after year. “Many have gone off to college but continue to
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