New York has Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Tampa Bay has... wait for it... Fashion Week Tampa Bay. The second-annual extravaganza is coming up next month but you, loyal Divas, get a preview now. Peep this press release from Nancy Vaughn, executive producer and senior event publicist for FWTB:

TAMPA, Fla. (Aug. 17, 2009) – The sophomore year of Tampa Bay Fashion Week, Sept. 23-26, will bring designers, models, press, buyers and fashion fans together to experience the Spring/Summer 2010 collections. This year’s events will include runway shows from established and emerging designers, an exhibitor boutique, cocktail soiree and after-parties.

“We’re excited to host another year of fashion in Tampa Bay with a focus on giving. It has been challenging this year, but the giving spirit is alive and well in Tampa Bay, plus our area loves fashion,”  said Charlene McPherson, sponsorship director for the Tampa Bay Fashion Week event. 

Net proceeds from this year’s event will benefit Best Buddies Tampa and the YWCA of Tampa Bay.  “Fashion Week Tampa Bay is a fun event that provides great exposure to our beneficiaries and helps us to reach a creative, diverse crowd,” said Sarah Combs, area director of Best Buddies Tampa and associate producer for the Tampa Bay Fashion Week event.

Tampa Bay Fashion Week will open with a cocktail soiree on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Runway shows will follow on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 24 and 25 from: Audrey “Pat” McGhee, Bebe Ziegler, Essence Flowers, Ivanka Ska, Michael Della Penna, Nina Verklas, Rhonda Shear, Sana Hassan, Sandra C. Hagen, Triniece Cagua and Troy Anthony. All events and activities will be held at the Sheraton Riverwalk, Sept. 23-25, and the event will end with a private/invite only fashion party at an undisclosed location on Saturday, Sept. 26. Vendor boutique exhibits will be held prior to the runway shows, with after-parties following the evening’s shows.

For more information regarding schedule, ticket prices and line-up, visit www.fashionweektampabay.com. Press and buyer registration is now open. E-mail press@fashionweektampabay.com or buyer@fashionweektampabay.com.

Tampa Bay Fashion Week was established in June 2007. While Fashion Weeks are held in numerous cities across the country, Tampa Bay’s version differs from those events by including a focus on community involvement.

The Deal Divas will be blogging live from all four days of Fashion Week. Whatever shall we wear?

~ Deal Diva Dalia

(Photos, top to bottom: We're digging these threads by FWTB newcomers Michael Della Penna and Helen Gerro, and crowd fave Ivanka Ska. Courtesy of Fashion Week Tampa Bay.)