Deaf And Hearing-Impaired Students To Walk The Runway

Sadly, fashion does not often have room for outsiders. And this is a particular ill we like to remedy, because everyone loves clothes, and more importantly — everyone wants to feel like they look, in their own way, good. And celebrating differences is a factor in great design, right? So when we hear, er, read about Hear The Runway and its altruistic founder Dr. Leslie Walker, we remember how powerful fashion can be.

Dr. Leslie Walker is an educational audiologist who works with deaf and hearing-impaired students in Miami Dade County Public Schools. Throughout the past several years, Walker noticed a lack of self-esteem and drive among the students she taught. "I decided to put on a fashion show that would help them feel more at ease with the hearing loss," Walker tells us, "as well as increase their self esteem, self worth, and self image."

Pretty much, Walker wanted a night where her students could feel like stars (and what better way to do that than through fashion?). Inevitably, she gained numerous supporters, and a single fashion show turned into Hear the Runway Foundation, an organization whose ultimate goal is to provide hearing-impaired students with the support and the resources they need to pursue opportunities after high school.

Supporting community organizations like Hear The Runway Foundation makes giving back easy and fun (who wouldn't want to attend a fashion show at the Hilton with your favorite local boutiques and designers?). Not only is it important for us to recognize this event as a real fashion moment, but we're certain the models will be stellar. And don't expect this to be their only turn on the runway. "I am planning on having this fashion show every year along with additional mentoring programs and various activities," Walker explains. Grab your girlfriends and head over to what is going to be an incredible show—both for the fashion and the cause.

When: Sunday, May 6, doors open at 4:00 p.m., show begins at 5:00 p.m.
Where: The Hilton Miami Airport, International Ballroom, 5101 Blue Lagoon Drive; 305-265-3800. $20.