Christina Strawbridge is the owner of Christina S Fashion Destination, which will be sponsoring the Benicia Fashion Runway Weekend on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 29 and 30.. (File photo)

Designers from Lifetime’s “Project Runway” are coming to Benicia. Some may ask why these designers are coming to a town like Benicia, and the answer to that can be found at the Benicia Fashion Runway Weekend. This event will allow the designers an opportunity to showcase some of the clothes they have designed and offer attendees the chance to purchase some items that tickle their fancy.
The Benicia Fashion Runway takes place over the course of two days. The first day happens on Friday, Sept. 29 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Union Hotel Courtyard, located at 401 First St. The designers from “Project Runway” will tell behind the scenes stories from the show– including working with judges Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn– and later in the night give a preview to the runway show at Christina S Fashion Destination, located at 370 First St. The ticket prices for Friday are $20.
On Saturday in the Treasury Commons, there will be; a pre-show reception, a grand finale runway show and auction, and an opportunity to shop the night away at First Street businesses after the show. The Saturday event goes from 6 to 10 p.m., and ticket prices are $40.
The featured “Project Runway” designers will be Richard Hallmarq from Season 11, Kini Zamora from Season 13, Sandro Masmanidi from Season 12 and Samantha Black from Season 11.
Christina Strawbridge, the owner of Christina S, started the Benicia fashion show nine years ago when she noticed in 2008 there were several women’s boutiques and makeup stores along First Street. She thought it would be a great to showcase the best of what Benicia had to offer in the world of fashion by putting on a fashion show.
The first fashion show featured local models. As the years went by, Strawbridge met Hallmarq. They hit it off and started brainstorming on what the fashion show could be. Through Hallmarq and his contacts, former “Project Runway” contestants began coming to the Benicia fashion show. In 2014, costume designer Patricia Field, who was nominated for an Oscar for her work on 2006’s “The Devil Wears Prada” and also designed some of the attire worn on “Sex and the City” and “Ugly Betty,” came to Benicia for the fashion show and fell in love with the town, according to Strawbridge.
The audience has been growing too, Strawbridge said. Last year, the show had 350 attendees. This year, Strawbridge and her team are expecting close to 400 people.
“For me, the Benicia Fashion show fulfills my creative needs,” she said. “There’s nothing better than seeing what you envision come to life and see the caliber of what we are showcasing here in Benicia. When people see the show, they cannot believe this is happening in Benicia and to me, it’s ‘Why not?’” “To see your idea come together is the best part,” Strawbridge added.
The fashion show also raises money for charities. Over the last few years, the Benicia Fashion Runway Weekend has raised more than $6,000 for women’s safe houses and $4,000 for the Benicia State Parks Association.
“It’s not like anything you’ve seen before if they haven’t been to the event,” Strawbridge said. “It gives you a taste of what you would see at (a typical) Fashion Week or Paris Fashion Week because of the caliber of talent, the clothing, the models themselves. Some of them have just got back from New York Fashion Week. It’s a great way see and meet friends, dress up, put on your coolest and also draws people to Benicia and our downtown.”
Tickets can be purchased at Christina S Fashion Destination, located at 370 First St.; Benicia Main Street, located at 90 First St.; or online at beniciafashionrunway.com. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Soroptimist International of Benicia Women’s Resource Center and Safe House.

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