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Dress for Success hosts annual charity fashion show in Bettendorf

Their 'Recycle the Runway' event challenged five designers to transform second-hand clothes into gala-inspired dresses.

BETTENDORF, Iowa — Recycled clothes are given a new life at a charity show in Bettendorf.

Quad Cities nonprofit Dress for Success, which helps women get clothes for the workforce and business training, hosted its annual "Recycle the Runway" event at the Waterfront Convention Center.

Five designers were tasked with creating a gala-inspired dress. The outfit had to be made mostly from a surprise bag of second-hand clothes. The show raised money through ticket sales and prize raffles.

Back in 2012, Dress for Success board member Tina Manley needed second-hand clothes herself. "I had just got a divorce from my husband, just got separated. I was a stay-at-home mom, so I was kind of at a point of not knowing what my next step would be," Manley said.

The nonprofit's career and job workshops eventually helped Manley find her purpose as an entrepreneur. "I was able to go back to school, get my cosmetology degree. Right out of school I opened my opened by own business, Tina Rina Salon and Spa," she said.

Executive director Mauricio Diaz said his team is on track to help almost 300 women this year. "Veteran women, homeless women, women that were affected by the Davenport collapse recently a while back — we've been able to help folks from all walks of life," Diaz said.

That will add to their total of over 2,000 women they've assisted since 2011. Manley said she wants to keep helping more everyday, such as her customers. "'I'm going for a job interview and I don't have any clothes or know how to fill out my resume,' and I'm like 'guess what? I have a resource for you,'" she said.

Dress for Success has over 140 locations in 24 countries. The Davenport location is at 423 East 32nd Street. Hours are:

  • Program Hours (by appointment only):
    Mon 9:00am-3:00pm
    Tues 11:00am-7:00pm
    Wed 9:00am-3:00pm
    Thurs 9:00am-3:00pm

  • Open Clothing Donations:
    Tues 11:00am-7:00pm

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