Georgina Bloomberg models Ariat apparel at the ‘Strut! Fashion for a Just World’ fashion show on Saturday, March 19, in Wellington, FL. Photo by Sportfot
Will Simpson models Horseware Ireland’s new Pessoa clothing line. Photo by Sportfot
JustWorld Rider Ambassador Andres Rodriguez sporting the Horseware Ireland Newmarket collection. Photo by Sportfot

March 22, 2011 – Wellington, Florida – The first annual ‘Strut! Fashion for a Just World’ fashion show to benefit JustWorld International was held Saturday, March 19, at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival show grounds in Wellington, FL.

In a production that could have easily been at home at Miami Fashion Week, ‘Strut! Fashion for a Just World’ was a huge success. Orchestrated by JustWorld’s Sabrina Jurak and produced by Dazzle Creative Events, ‘Strut! Fashion for a JustWorld’ saw some of show jumping sport’s biggest names walk the runway, showing off the latest fashions in equestrian apparel and street wear. Cameras flashed, music pumped, and a packed house showed its appreciation for the models, all of whom enjoyed entertaining the crowd with their sassy struts and cheeky antics.

The male models included Mike Belisle, Nick Dello Joio, Alejandro Karolyi, Matt Morrissey, Bobby Murphy, Andres Rodriguez, and Will Simpson, led by professional model and actor, Vincent de Paul. Showing off the latest in women’s fashion were Alexa Adelson, Hannah Baumann, Georgina Bloomberg, Ashlee Bond, Mireya Cano, Dawn DeRentis, Rachel Horrowitz, Lexie Mowery, Molly Newsome, Elizabeth Pandich, Louise Serio, Nicole and Sophie Simpson, Chase Spears, Ainsley Vince, Alexandra Zachowski, and Caitlin Ziegler.

Tom MacGuinness of Horseware Ireland had the idea of holding a fashion show to launch the brand’s new Pessoa clothing line as well as to benefit JustWorld International, a not-for-profit, humanitarian organization working as a catalyst for positive change in the developing world by helping impoverished children. Horseware Ireland has been a long-time partner of JustWorld International, and donates a portion of proceeds of every fly sheet it sells to JustWorld International, which in turn uses the donation to supply mosquito nets to families in Cambodia.

“Together with Rodrigo Pessoa, Horseware has developed a clothing collection with a new level of style and sophistication, and Wellington was the ideal venue to have the official launch,” said MacGuinness, Founder and Managing Director of Horseware Ireland and JustWorld founding sponsor. “We’ve been a supporter of JustWorld since the beginning, and I have personally seen the project in Cambodia, where we’ve been closely involved. Bringing the two together was a perfect fit. I thank everyone who bought tickets to support this inaugural event, the models who donated their time, Equestrian Sport Productions who allowed us to use this gorgeous facility, and the Horseware and JustWorld teams who worked so hard to make this event a success.”

In addition to featuring Horseware Ireland’s Newmarket and Pessoa lines, other brands featured in the fashion show were Ariat, Asmar Equestrian, Beval, Der Dau, Elegante Polo, Haute to Trot Inc., Hunt Ltd., Parlanti, SaraRose, and Skidrow LLC.

Allan Donnan and Brian Lookabill announced the outfits for each model while hair and make-up were provided by Generations: A Hair Salon. Held in the Wellington Club overlooking the Internationale Arena, the entire event was captured by official videographer PublicReputation.com and Sportfot, the official photographer. Gift bags were provided by Collé Products, International Polo Club and Whole Foods.

“Thank you to all of the JustWorld Ambassadors, families, staff, volunteers and sponsors for their amazing support and donating their time to make this event such a success,” said Jessica Newman, Executive Director of JustWorld International. “Special thanks also to Heather Hays and Candace FitzGerald Quackenbos, both of the Horseware Ireland Team, for their collaboration in planning the event, as well as the Baumann and Ruziska families for their generous involvement.”

All proceeds raised from the first annual ‘Strut! Fashion for a Just World’ fashion show will benefit JustWorld International’s project sites in Brazil, Cambodia, Guatemala, and Honduras.

With show jumping riders around the world signing up to become JustWorld Rider Ambassadors, Executive Director Jessica Newman has mobilized some of the sport's biggest names towards supporting JustWorld’s projects. There are currently more than 400 Rider Ambassadors from 35 different countries, ranging from nine-year-old pony riders to Olympic medalists, who help bring attention to JustWorld International’s cause.

Founded in 2003, JustWorld International is a not-for-profit, humanitarian organization working as a catalyst for positive change in the developing world by helping children in impoverished communities. For more information on JustWorld International, please visit www.justworldinternational.org.

About Horseware® Products Ltd.
Tom and Carol MacGuinness founded Horseware® Products Ltd. determined to produce a turnout rug that didn’t leak, slip or cause the horse to sweat. In 1985, they revolutionized the industry with the introduction of the Rambo® Original – the first fully waterproof and breathable turnout that really worked. By 1996 the Rambo® had become the world’s best selling Turnout rug and its design has become the industry standard in production, quality and development.

Since then, Horseware’s key policy of ‘Innovation not Imitation’ has led the company to create the Rhino and Amigo lines of horse clothing based on the original Rambo® design, and several lines of equestrian lifestyle clothing. For more information about Horseware® Products Ltd. please visit www.horseware.com.