The spirit of community and vintage flair will converge at Tips Up Restaurant and Bar this Sunday, as the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation hosts a Retro Ski Fashion Show to support the Big Sky Thrift Shop. In an exclusive chat with NonStop Local’s Bradley Warren, Emily Burke from the Big Sky Thrift Shop and the Foundation’s Associate Director of Programs shared insights into this unique fundraising event and its significant impact on the local community.
Uniting Fashion with Community Support
Big Sky’s inaugural community nonprofit thrift store, a collaborative effort between the Yellowstone Club and the Lone Mountain Land Company, has been a boon for local residents since its opening in 2023. Offering a wide range of affordable donated items, the thrift shop has quickly become a cornerstone for community support, funding various projects from affordable housing initiatives to grants for nonprofits. “We’ve been collecting these outfits for about a year now, all sourced from donations,” Emily revealed, highlighting the excitement surrounding the upcoming fashion show.
A Showcase of Vintage Elegance
Attendees of the Retro Ski Fashion Show can expect to lay their eyes on an eclectic mix of vintage ski apparel, including the event’s highlight – a vintage Bogner ski suit, complete with a vest and belt buckle, showcasing the quality and uniqueness of donations the thrift shop receives. “This is our most exciting and special piece,” Emily enthused, underscoring the rarity of such finds. The event promises not only a trip down memory lane for ski fashion enthusiasts but also an opportunity to snag these exclusive pieces, as all outfits displayed will be up for purchase.
Impact Beyond Fashion
The collaboration between the Big Sky Thrift Shop and the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation exemplifies how fashion and philanthropy can intersect to foster community growth. With thousands of dollars already donated to local organizations, the thrift shop’s contributions are palpable. The Retro Ski Fashion Show, free to attend and featuring a pop-up shop, photo booth, and DJ, is more than just an event; it’s a testament to the power of community solidarity and the enduring appeal of retro ski fashion. As Emily succinctly put it, “It’s going the extra mile.”
For those eager to support their community while indulging in the nostalgia of ski fashion, the doors open at 4 p.m. this Sunday at Tips Up. More details about the event and the Big Sky Thrift Shop can be found on their Facebook page.