The 10th annual Fashion Affair took place on October 3 at the Ralph Englestad Arena, attracting its largest crowd yet with 350 guests. Co-organized by Anne Zimmer, owner of Avant Hair and Skincare Studio, and Rachel Eider, owner of RH Standard, the event has grown from a modest gathering into one of Grand Forks’ most anticipated showcases of local fashion and businesses.
“The original idea was just to showcase the local stores in Grand Forks,” Zimmer said. “There’s always the common perception that there’s nowhere to shop, so people think they have to go to Minneapolis or somewhere else. But there are tons of shops here.”
Eider, a former New York City stylist who began her career at Kenneth Cole, has brought a wealth of fashion expertise to the event. Together, Zimmer and Eider have worked to highlight local boutiques and designers, challenging the perception that Grand Forks lacks shopping options.
Reflecting on the event’s humble beginnings, Zimmer recalled the very first Fashion Affair, held in the Alley of Love, behind Ely’s Ivy.
“We bought an old red carpet, laid it down in the alley, and lined it with white chairs,” she said. “We charged $35 a ticket, and to our surprise, it sold out. We were shocked!”
Since then, the event has expanded to larger venues like a downtown parking ramp and Bernie’s, a local restaurant owned by celebrity chef Molly Yeh. Last year, the show took place at The Hive, a repurposed Grand Forks Herald building that now houses the UAS Tech Accelerator.
This year’s show, with 350 guests in attendance, was the biggest yet. Zimmer said that each year, they strive to improve the event and surprise attendees with new elements.
In addition to its focus on fashion, the Fashion Affair also supports local causes. While it is not a charity event, Zimmer explained that they have partnered with their co-host, the Grand Forks Foundation for Education & Alumni Network, donating excess funds from ticket sales to help support at-risk students.
“We’re not a benefit because it’s not a benefit, it’s a show,” Zimmer said. “But we’ve worked with co-hosts to raise money for budget cuts affecting kids in Grand Forks.”
Emilia Hodgson, executive director of the foundation, explained how the partnership came about.
“A few years ago, the Fashion Affair reached out to us,” Hodgson said. “It’s not a fundraising event, but they had excess money from ticket sales and wanted to donate to local causes. Last year, we used the funds to provide meals and scholarships for at-risk students, which has been an incredible help.”
Its partnership with the foundation highlights Zimmer’s and Eider’s views on giving back, and the event maintains a strong local focus from sourcing food and drinks to working with locally owned venues and businesses. “Wherever we hold the event, everything – from the wine to the models – comes from Grand Forks,” she said.
The Fashion Affair also strengthens connections between the local business community and residents. Zimmer encourages students at UND to join and explore local shops and services. “This community supports students, so students should support the community,” Zimmer said. “That goes for shopping and work. We’re always looking for people to work, and it’s hard to find them.”
“I’ve been a salon owner for 22 years, and I love downtown Grand Forks,” she said. “Now, I’m in the process of building a new salon and spa, and I’m excited to bring that space to the community.”
As the Fashion Affair continues to grow, Zimmer and Eider remain focused on delivering an event that reflects the evolving creativity of Grand Forks. ‘We just always look forward to doing it better,” Zimmer said. ‘Every year, people wonder where we’ll go next, and once in a while, we do it better.”
Davíd Moreno is a Dakota Student General Reporter. He can be reached at daví[email protected].