1. Fashion Fights Poverty Runway Show
The United Nations Association of the National Capital Area partners with PR and event planning firm Style and Image Network for this fund-raiser. The fourth annual event, was held September 25 at the St. Regis hotel, benefiting NEST, which provides loans to women in the third world. Michael Dumlao of the Style and Image Network is the show’s creative director.

2. Nordstrom’s Designer Fall Preview
This annual fashion and shopping event shows off the latest in American and European clothes from Nordstrom, with the proceeds going to the nonprofit Knock Out Abuse Against Women. The June 17 show, organized by Nordstrom event marketing coordinator Gina McGowan, was held at the National Building Museum. The event raised $60,000 from 500 guests.

3. Washington Humane Society Fashion for Paws Runway Show
Washington notables shared the runway with their dogs at the Fashion for Paws show, held at the Italian Embassy on April 12. Event chair Michael Saylor and advisory chair Tara de Nicolas, director of marketing and communications for the Humane Society, produce the show, which this year garnered 1,100 guests, raised $260,000, and featured local celebrity models. The third annual show is again scheduled for April.

4. D.C. Fashion Week
The District’s answer to Paris and Milan takes off each spring and fall, with the latest edition held September 14 to 21. The Fashion Week organization, led by director Ean Williams, produces a wide range of events for industry insiders and the public, including the International Couture Collection show at the French Embassy, a festival on H Street Northeast, and a showcase of fashion from Kazakhstan.