BOSTONMAN MAGAZINE publisher Matt Ribaudo stood on the platform, mic in hand, at the pool outside Lifted Lounge in Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport.
Staring back at him, on this perfect summer evening in July, were 400 sets of eyeballs -eagerly anticipating Matt’s reveal of designer Melissa Stern’s “Barbie 2023 Collection” at what is to become Boston’s annual Summer Pink Party.
But before ‘Mel the Clothing’ and her 25 models would take to the runway to strut their stuff -fitted to perfection in Mel’s stunning pink designs- Matt had an announcement to make; one he had been teasing and dropping hints for since the start of the year.
“The creativity and energy of this community, this city, means so much to me -to all of us,” Matt said, smiling at the audience in front of him while taking in every moment. “And on December 3rd in The Grand Ballroom at Boston Park Plaza Hotel, we’re going to celebrate and showcase all of that at Boston’s First Annual Runway Ball!”
The Runway Ball, which will embrace a ‘Hollywood at Night’ theme, is the brainchild of Wave+Woven CEO Amanda Vargus.
“It’s a night to celebrate the beautiful fashions, cultures, and communities of some of our amazing creators in this city,” Amanda explained. “Boston breeds so much talent, especially in the creative arts, and we wanted to conceive an evening and experience that will highlight and generate the exposure they so rightfully deserve.”
Too often local designers, artists, models, musicians, actors and producers feel pressure to leave Boston in order to seek opportunities in other markets, Amanda and Matt pointed out. The goal, they said, is to create multi-facet channels that will give professionals in the creative arts the same recognition and cache on a global level here in Boston that they are accustomed to seeking out in other cities.
“New York, LA, Miami, Paris and Milan will always be there,” Amanda said. “There is no reason why Boston can’t be mentioned in the same breath as a hub of opportunity for creative talent and style, especially those that are from here.”
Boston’s Runway Ball will also be a historic celebration of the 5-year anniversary for BostonMan Magazine with a special commemorative edition being released that evening. Matt, who serves on numerous boards and committees of charitable foundations in New England, announced that Toast to St. Jude of Boston’s Children Research Hospital will be the beneficiary of a portion of the proceeds from The Ball.
“We are super excited to be involved, and to be a part of this heart warming community BostonMan Magazine continues to build,” Siohban Dunn, Specialist of Area Development in The Northeast Territory of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital said. “December 3rd is going to be such a special evening for so many reasons. We can’t wait!”
Details for the event are still emanating, Amanda said, but the groundwork and overall themes are sturdily in place.
“For the runway show, we will most likely feature 8-12 designers offering various fire looks and designs,” she said. “We will have multiple musicians performing throughout the evening and are entertaining some really cool ideas on how we’re going to showcase our headlining band.”
BostonMan Magazine advisory board member Jimmie Espo, founder of The 617 Event Group and someone who has been side-by-side with Matt since the birth of BostonMan, is the third organizer of The Runway Ball.
“Simply put, there is no BostonMan Magazine without Jimmie Espo,” Matt said.
Jimmie, Amanda, and Matt are even dubbing the triad of their operation JAM Productions, with JAM representing the first letter of each of their names.
“This is going to be the event of the century,” Jimmie matter-of-factly stated. “I am absolutely stoked for this.”
All, of course, will be intertwined with a trendy cocktail style reception -celebrating culture & community- that has been the hallmark of BostonMan Magazine Legacy Club events over their first five years.
“It’s going to be a night to remember for sure,” Matt said. “And there is no other city I would rather do this in then Boston.”
A limited number of pre-sale tickets at a 50% discount are currently available here.
If you are a designer, model, musician, or creative talent in another capacity that would like to be considered for showcase in Boston’s Runway Ball, please reach out to Amanda Vargus at amanda@waveandwoven.com or Matt Ribaudo at matt@bostonmanmagazine.com.
If you would like to have your company or brand featured at Boston’s Runway Ball and/or in the 5-year anniversary commemorative edition of BostonMan Magazine please also reach out to Amanda or Matt.
Media members, public relations professionals, photographers, videographers, and emcees please also send your inquiries to Amanda and Matt.
