The Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual fashion show fundraiser on Sept. 12.

Every July, the chamber hosts its Beat the Heat fashion show fundraiser. However, this year, the chamber chose to coincide the annual fashion show with its annual Sustainable September celebration.

The fashion show fundraiser was hosted at the Woodmark Hotel at Carillon Point, presented by Waste Management.

Chamber executive director Samantha St. John and sales and marketing director Beth Gale organized this year’s first Sustainable September fashion show fundraiser.

“We wanted to blend sustainability with local shopping,” St. John said. “We have so many local shops and we have so many local consignment and thrift stores.”

She said the chamber has hosted Beat the Heat and Sustainable September for several years. This year they decided to combine the two.

“We take a lot of pride that we’re highlighting local shops,” St. John said. “It’s a great opportunity to also showcase all the great consignment and thrift shops we have here too.”

The fashion show was emceed by Gale and Kirkland Performance Center managing director David Bander.

Clothing sponsors included Via Lago, J Hillburn, Eastside Community Thrift Store, Purpose Boutique, Serendipity, Seattle Goodwill, Everyday Athlete and Nyanza Bridal.

Vendor sponsors included Bella Sirena-Hair, Mermaid Extensions-Hair, Desert Suntan-Tanning, Bellevue Plastic Surgery Group-Facials and Sugar Plum-Waxing.

Kirkland chamber members modeled outfits down the runway. Models included councilmember Kelli Curtis and local business owners.

Gale said the goal of the event was to highlight local businesses and encourage people to shop locally, as well as encourage them to re-purpose thrifted items.

“We wanted to highlight sustainability and draw attention to local nonprofits like Goodwill and Purpose,” Gale said. “We wanted to showcase local shops and boutiques that sell clothing with sustainable fabrics.”

Gale said she enjoyed spearheading the event as she enjoys working with the chamber.

“I love bringing people together and promoting local businesses,” she said.

Anya Briggs walks the runway at the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce’s sustainable fashion show on Sept. 12. Madison Miller/staff photo

Brenda Kauffman models Serendipity at the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce’s sustainable fashion show on Sept. 12. Madison Miller/staff photo

Heather Caterson models Nyanza Bridal at the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce’s sustainable fashion show on Sept. 12. Madison Miller/staff photo

Madison Miller/staff photo Rich Bergdahl, real estate broker at Bergdahl Real Property, walks the runway at the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce’s sustainable fashion show on Sept. 12.