From Enlightenment to IRCHS Runway: Empire Era Inspires Vero’s Next Generation of Designers

Don’t miss Fashion for Legacy this Friday

reserve your seats below.

Student designers present collections echoing the Empire and Enlightenment eras—their signature designs crafted from thrifted and upcycled finds from  Saint Vincent de Paul

Did you know Indian River Charter High School is expanding its performing arts tradition with the creation of applied arts programs in fashion, digital arts, and film?

Under the Artistic Director Michael Naffziger, and an impressive faculty of teaching artists, the performing and visual arts curriculum continues to thrive, alongside the Applied Arts, with award-winning programs in Jazz, Orchestra, Choir, Dance, Theatre, Film, Photography, and Fine Arts, sending students to higher educational programs at NYU Tisch, Savannah College of Art and Design, Berkeley School of Music, University of Michigan, and The Boston Conservatory, among others.

Along with those national destinations, many students opt to stay local at Indian River State College (The River), which offers amazing opportunities in the performing arts programs. At IRSC, students earn more stage time than at many larger institutions and nearly all secure full scholarships through the Promise Program, making arts career paths accessible and affordable right at home.

This Friday, September 26, IRCHS presents their second annual runway show -- “Fashion for Legacy” with seatings at 5:00 and 7:30 PM in Charter Hall.

The fashion students will unveil their Fall 2025 collection, drawing creative inspiration from the Empire and Enlightenment eras. Every look is upcycled from Saint Vincent de Paul thrift store finds and brought to life with professional-level instruction in styling, modeling, production, and marketing—delivering with all the elements you’d expect to put on a show during New York’s Fashion Week.

Three leading retailers will also join the students, giving attendees the opportunity to shop local runway looks from:

• Seahorse Lane Boutique (downtown)

• Patchington (Ocean Drive)

• In Motion athleticwear for men and women (Ocean Drive)

IRCHS’s arts programs reach beyond campus, performing throughout the county, collaborating with local businesses, art galleries, the Vero Beach Film Festival and the the Vero Beach Museum of Art, building relationships with area businesses while equipping students for creative futures both close to home and across the country.

Secure your seats here – admission is $20 and $60 for VIP.