The Noir et OR Fashion Show raised money for the Youth and Shelter services of Ames Saturday and featured garments from Ayden Lee and Nekia Marie Boutiques.

On Nov. 2, local boutiques, entertainers and stylists from Studio 7 Salon and Spa worked together for the Noir et OR Fashion Show to showcase their talents and raise money for a cause at The Grove Community Center. The businesses join forces twice a year to give back to the community.

Krista Wrage, owner of Studio 7, began the fashion show with her friend Tia Michelle-Ricklefs, owner of Ayden Lee in Ames.

“Tia and I always wanted to do fashion shows together the second we met so we just kind of built from there,” Wrage said. “The goal of the fashion show is to showcase my salon’s talents and display all the trends of the season for hair and makeup and to just really have a great fun time.”

Ricklefs and Wrage said they felt something was lacking in the Ames community and decided an event showcasing their talents would increase knowledge of the things they do.

“Krista and I decided that we wanted to do something that was not happening in Ames,” Ricklefs said. “Something that would draw attention since we’re small business people, and we wanted to give back to the community.”

Each year, the event raises money for a different charity.

“We go back and forth,” Ricklefs said. “We do Youth and Shelter Services, which is tonight, and then Mary Greeley Cancer Center.”

Three years ago, the women met Eric Carter, who assists with the biannual shows, when he modeled with Night Life Magazine. Carter is in charge of gathering all of the small businesses and making sure the event runs smoothly.

“I’m the one who does it all and plans it to bring the show to life.” Carter said.

After meeting the two women, Carter has continued to stay in contact with them, helping plan ideas for future shows and events.

Since Carter has joined the small businesses, the fashion shows have grown and new talent has been introduced. Carter introduced Nekia Thomas, owner of the online store Nekia Marie Boutique, to Ricklefs and Wrage.

The mixture of Ayden Lee and Nekia Marie Boutique is said to be a success.

“Nekia’s clothing boutique is more on the edgy side where as Ayden Lee is more classic and trendy,” Wrage said.

Because of the edge Nekia Marie Boutique brought to the table, Wrage said she decided to create a more edgy hair and makeup look.

“We did a little more edgy styles this time and especially with makeup,” Wrage said. “We did a really bold lip.”

This year, preparation for the show changed due to a change in venue.

“We wanted a bigger venue,” Wrage said. “We wanted to see who we could reach with a different venue and we like to work with different businesses around town so it was a perfect opportunity.”

The event moved venues this year, hoping to bring the Ames community and the campus community together.

Styles featured in the fashion show include black and white prints, with abstract and edgy patterns. Models came from across the Ames and Des Moines areas, and were featured in garments from Ayden Lee, Nekia Marie Boutique and Dogtown University clothing.

Eleven stylists from Studio 7 Salon and Spa spent the day prepping the models, and entertainment was provided by rapper NEWMONEY, and R&B artist Cameron McBeth.