Rivet Collective and Well Lived Women Charity Fashion Show raises money for HAVEN NH
PORTSMOUTH – On May 7, Rivet Collective & Well Lived Women joined forces to host a charity fashion show to benefit HAVEN NH and their youth programs such as Camp HOPE & Pathways Mentoring. This dynamic duo bonded over their shared love of community and supporting women-owned businesses and those impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault. Sarah Ridzon and Lex Morton knew they wanted to support HAVEN’s critical youth programs. HAVEN provides its K-12 Violence Prevention Education Program that travels to schools all over Rockingham and Strafford counties to provide classroom-by-classroom, age-appropriate, interactive curricula to grades K-12. In 2021 HAVEN also launched its partnership with Camp HOPE America, which is a week-long overnight camp for local kids impacted by trauma. Studies have shown that a week of camp can be equivalent to 4 months of therapy.
Walking the runway was a full cast of female small business owners from across the Seacoast, creating a true sense of community and celebration among fellow successful entrepreneurs. Ticket sales and incredible raffle prizes donated by local businesses led to the success of the fundraiser, which was attended by more than 250 people at Portsmouth's 3S Artspace.
Rivet Collective is owned by Sarah Ridzon, a mom of two in Hampton Falls. She started her women's clothing boutique online in 2019, opened a brick-and-mortar shop & studio in Hampton Falls in 2022 and the growing retail company currently ships worldwide. Sarah wanted to create this fashion show as an opportunity to do some good in the seacoast community, bring women together, highlight local small business owners, and showcase her boutique's clothing.
"Tonight, you will see some of our Spring Collection. And while I am extremely proud of this, to me, Rivet has always been about more than just selling clothes. We believe in women supporting women. In community and fostering connection. In doing the right thing always. We believe that there is a need for more female entrepreneurs in the marketplace. We might add that boardrooms could use a little augmentation. We believe that women are stronger when they support each other. Which certainly justifies the occasional get-together, (like tonight!) said Ridzon.
Well Lived Women is owned by Lex Morton, a Stratham mom of two. Well Lived Women curates experiences for women to make life a little less lonely and to fill their cups. Since 2022, over 900 women have attended experiences on the seacoast and Lex has partnered with countless small business owners in the area.
"I started Well Lived Women in 2022 because I wanted a place where women could gather to connect, converse, and try new things. In a world where women are often juggling countless responsibilities, women often end up putting themselves at the end of their list. I wanted a place where women could gather for exciting experiences while taking care of themselves. I couldn't find it, so I created it." said Morton. Her Self Care Crew yearly membership is currently open for enrollment on the Well Lived Women website.
The goal of the fashion show was to create a women's night out to have some fun and do some good in the community. Rivet showcased its spring collection while raising money for HAVEN’s youth programs and sending local kids to Camp HOPE & Pathways Mentoring. Kids from ages 7-11 who have been impacted by trauma can sign up for HAVEN's Pathway's Mentoring, which is a year-round mentorship to support kids through their challenges. At the end of the summer, those kids head off to Camp HOPE, a week-long overnight camp FREE of charge. Camp HOPE America is the first evidence-based camping and mentoring program to focus on youth impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, and trauma.
"Because of organizations such as Rivet Collective and Well Lived Women, we can take one step closer to ending violence and changing lives once and for all," said Katelyn Souphakhot, HAVEN's Development and Marketing Manager “We are so incredibly grateful for amazing community support such as this!”
After the fashion show, everyone joined DJ Joe with Entertaining by Design (also donated) for a big dance party.
Models/Local Small Business Owners Involved:
Jennifer Desroisers - owner of Altitude Companies, Laney and Lu, Ginger Fox (Exeter, Portsmouth, Stratham)
Robin Drunsic & Hanna Schaffer- owners of Forest & Ash Design Studio and Forest & Ash Shop (Exeter)
Lauren Atwood - Co-Owners of Otter Creek Homes (North Hampton)
Katie Rocheford- Owner Golden Creative & Co-Owner of Salt and Grove (NBPT)
Stef Heitz- Owner of Pallette Graze Boards (Exeter)
Cindy Smith- Owner of Baby Go Round (Hampton Falls)
Mel Harrington- Owner of Sunday Supper Society and Sunday Supper Catering (Kittery
Janet- Owner of Skyhouse Creative (Exeter)
Steph Cleary- Owner of SC Wellness (Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist)
Alise Greenfield - Owner of Alise Greenfield Nurse Practitioner (Dover)
Meg Fontaine - Owner of Stages Home & Stages Furniture (Stratham)
Joanne Hanson - Owner of Miracle Farm Speech Therapy (Hampton Falls)
Kristyn Carvalho- Co-Owner of La Jolie (Exeter)
Angela Garcia - Owner of AG Fitness (Stratham)
Emily Bean - Owner of Steamhouse Yoga & PIlates (Epping)
Other Donated Services:
Print Sponsor- Kellan Valhouli of Pixie Racket
DJ Joe- Entertaining by Design
Melissa Lacasse Photography
Ohana provided dinner for models and gift cards for our VIP Bags
"The goal was to raise $5,000, and the morning of the fundraiser we had hit that goal, but we were blown away by the generosity of the women attending the night of that we actually were able to donate $7,150." Sarah Ridzon noted. The event sold out with 250 attendees. It was so successful that they are hoping to make the fashion show an annual event! If you are looking for ways to support or become involved with HAVEN, visit their website at https://havennh.org/get-involved/volunteer-opportunities/.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Rivet Collective and Well Lived Women Charity Fashion Show raises money for HAVEN NH
