See a fashion show while helping DVIP

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Ten Iowa City businesses will pool their resources Saturday to put on a fashion show in support of victims of domestic violence.

All proceeds from ticket sales to the inaugural fundraiser at Et Cetera nightclub, 118 S. Dubuque St., will benefit the Domestic Violence Intervention Program.

"This fundraising is going to be helpful," said Chisato Loew, director of DVIP's shelter service and volunteer program.

The show will feature 25 to 30 models wearing clothing from downtown stores. Among the models will be a staff member from the intervention program and members of the Iowa City police and fire departments.

Intervention program staff will wear jewelry on loan from Hands Jewelry, which often donates food from store events to the shelter.

"Just dropping off (food) at the front door, you can see there's not only a lot of need but a lot of caring going on inside those doors," store owner Bill Nusser Jr. said.

Other businesses supporting the show are Active Endeavors, Austin Burke, Catherine's, Hebe, Hoopla, Textiles, Sheraton Hotel and Iowa City Fitness.

"I think it's important that the bars give back," said Et Cetera owner George Etre, who also owns Skybox and Iowa City Fitness. "We're a big part of downtown, and sometimes we're put in a negative light."

The Domestic Violence Intervention Program, which has provided shelter, outreach programs and youth programs for victims of domestic violence for 26 years in Iowa City, serves about 1,400 area residents per year. The program provides shelter on a first-come, first-served basis, housing about 400 women and children yearly.

"We have to turn away lots of people," Loew said.

All furniture and household items at the shelter are donated, and the intervention program relies on state funding, local grants and donations to operate.

"Nonprofit agencies always struggle with the funding," Loew said. "We need lots of support from community members."

In addition to benefiting the program financially, the primary goal of the event is to build awareness, said Melissa Pniak, manager of Skybox and one of four of Etre's employees to organize the event during the past month.

"I think a lot of adults are not aware about DVIP and what they do," Etre said.

Etre encourages all residents, including business owners, professors, doctors at the university and students, to attend the event. Complimentary appetizers will be served, and the bar will be open for purchase. Cocktail attire is suggested. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for the general public.

"When people do come here, they're not only raising money for a great cause, they're seeing some good clothes," Etre said. "There's a lot of uniqueness about Iowa City."

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