Fashion Art Call
for
Art Meets Development
Calling Fashion Designers, Textile Artists and Creative Boutiques
Art Meets Development is expanding the definition of art.
For our second Art Meets Development event, we are bringing visual art and fashion together for an evening celebrating creativity, design and the important role artists play in shaping how we experience the world around us.
We are seeking a select group of local and regional fashion designers, textile artists, wearable-art creators and independent boutiques to participate in a curated fashion experience during the event.
This is not a traditional retail fashion show
We are looking for cool, creative and distinctive fashion—clothing and accessories with personality, movement, color, texture or an unexpected point of view. Mixed styles are welcome, provided the work feels thoughtfully selected and appropriate for a professional audience.
Ideal offerings may include:
- Statement dresses and separates
- Art-inspired clothing
- Hand-painted, printed, dyed or embellished garments
- Sculptural or architectural silhouettes
- Creative professional and elevated casual clothing
- Resort, social and special-event fashion
- Limited-edition or small-batch collections
- Handmade textiles and wearable art
- Distinctive jewelry, handbags, scarves and accessories
Most clothing offered for sale should be priced below $500, with a range of approachable price points encouraged.
About the Event
Art Meets Development connects artists with architects, interior designers, commercial real estate professionals, developers and other decision-makers who influence the artwork and design featured in commercial environments.
The event provides emerging and established creatives with an opportunity to introduce their work to an audience that appreciates originality, thoughtful design and exceptional craftsmanship.
Proceeds from the event will support CREW Tampa Bay’s philanthropic and community-impact initiatives.
Date: Thursday, March 11, 2027
Time: 4:00–8:00 p.m.
Location: Centro Asturiano de Tampa
1913 N. Nebraska Avenue
Tampa, Florida 33602
Complimentary parking is available in the venue’s lot at the corner of Palm Avenue and Nebraska Avenue.
Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance. Space is limited, and selections will be made to create a varied, cohesive and visually exciting experience.
Participation Opportunities
Applicants may request consideration for one or both of the following opportunities.
1. Fashion Show Participant
A limited number of designers, boutiques and textile artists will be selected to participate in a curated, runway-style fashion presentation held during the event.
The fashion presentation will last approximately 20 minutes and will take place midway through the evening.
Selected participants should be prepared to provide a cohesive group of looks that represents their creative style and appeals to a professional audience. Final quantities, model requirements, fitting schedules, music and presentation details will be coordinated with accepted participants.
Fashion show selections should:
- Be visually engaging on a runway
- Represent the designer or boutique’s overall aesthetic
- Include a variety of silhouettes, colors or textures
- Be appropriate for a sophisticated professional and social audience
- Be available for purchase or special order when possible
- Generally retail for less than $500 per garment
Participation in the fashion show does not automatically include vendor-rack space unless the applicant is also accepted as a Fashion Art Vendor.
Fashion Show Requirements
Applicants seeking runway consideration should be prepared to provide:
- Photographs of the proposed garments or collection
- The approximate number of looks available
- Available garment sizes
- Retail pricing
- Information about whether models will be provided
- Any fitting or dressing requirements
- A short description of the collection or creative inspiration
- Details about how guests may purchase or order the featured pieces
Accepted participants will receive additional information regarding rehearsals, garment delivery, fittings, backstage access, models and the final presentation schedule.
2. Fashion Art Vendor
We will select no more than five fashion designers, textile artists or boutiques to display and sell clothing and accessories within the main Art Meets Development show.
Each selected vendor will receive space for a curated clothing rack and a limited accessory display.
This opportunity is intended for creators and boutiques offering distinctive, artful merchandise—not conventional mass-market apparel.
Accepted vendors may sell:
- Clothing
- Wearable art
- Jewelry
- Handbags
- Scarves
- Belts
- Textile-based accessories
- Other approved fashion accessories
Displays must be polished, visually appealing and compact enough to complement the surrounding artwork and maintain comfortable guest circulation.
What Selected Participants Can Expect From Us
Pre-Event Promotion
We will promote selected participants through event-related social media and marketing whenever possible. Participants may be asked to provide professional photographs, a logo, a short biography and links to their website or social-media accounts.
A Curated Audience
The event is designed to attract architects, interior designers, developers, commercial real estate professionals, business leaders, art buyers and design-minded guests.
Event Admission
Each accepted fashion participant will receive one complimentary event registration. Additional team members, models or assistants may require separate registration unless otherwise approved.
Sales
Participants will be responsible for processing their own customer transactions unless alternate arrangements are made in advance.
A percentage of each sale made during the event will be contributed to the fundraiser.
Fundraising contribution: 50% of event sales
The contribution applies to merchandise sold during the event and to orders generated at the event and finalized within 20 days afterward.
Additional payment and reporting instructions will be provided to accepted participants.
What We Are Looking For
Submissions will be evaluated based on:
- Originality and artistic point of view
- Quality of design and construction
- Suitability for the Art Meets Development audience
- Overall presentation
- Range of sizes and price points
- Professionalism and readiness to participate
- Ability to provide merchandise suitable for business, social or special-event settings
- Visual compatibility with the event’s curated art-show environment
We welcome mixed styles and do not require applicants to fit within one fashion category. We are especially interested in clothing that feels memorable, expressive and different while remaining wearable.
Local Tampa Bay designers, textile artists and independent boutiques are strongly encouraged to apply. Regional applicants will also be considered.
Participant Requirements
Selected participants must:
- Offer authentic, legally sourced merchandise
- Clearly disclose whether items are original designs, handmade, independently produced or boutique-curated
- Provide accurate pricing and product information
- Supply their own clothing racks, hangers, mirrors, display materials and sales supplies unless otherwise arranged
- Keep displays professionally styled and staffed throughout the event
- Process their own sales and applicable sales tax
- Contribute the agreed-upon percentage of sales to the fundraiser
- Remain responsible for their merchandise and personal property
- Complete setup and breakdown during the assigned times
- Remove all merchandise and display materials at the conclusion of the event
- Promote their participation through their own social-media channels
Displays may not block artwork, exits, walkways or neighboring vendors.
Important Dates:
– Deadline to Apply: Application deadline will close at midnight Friday, January 15, 2027.
– Notifications: Accepted Participants will be notified by email by February 1, 2027.
– Fashion Show Coordination and Final Product Information Due: February 14, 2027
– Additional: Additional setup, fitting, rehearsal and arrival information will be provided to selected participants.
Promotion:
– We request that you “Like” and “Follow” CREW Tampa Bay on social media to maximize our ability to promote you. They are all on the bottom of the website.
Questions?
– If you have any questions, please email Jerri@MyFavoriteArtPlace.com or text her at 727-744-7997.
We appreciate your participation and contribution to this event.
About CREW Tampa Bay
CREW Tampa Bay is the premier business network for commercial real estate professionals in Tampa Bay. CREW Tampa Bay exists to transform the commercial real estate industry by promoting and empowering women through professional relationships, leadership opportunities, and the continued pursuit of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Read more about us here.
About the Non-Profits:
CREW Tampa Bay seeks to make a lasting, positive impact on our local community, far beyond the commercial real estate industry. CREW Tampa Bay members contribute their time and effort to our collective philanthropic efforts.
Thank you for your generosity!
Thank You To Our Event Sponsors!
