Local "Cycle Chic" Event Aspires to Build Community Around Eco-Friendly Clothing and Human-Powered Transportation Choices

Left to right - Lorena Beightler, Kari Shipman - Photo by Juan Ayora Photography

By Patrick McGilvray

SACRAMENTO (OBSNews.com) – Local cycling activist, landscape designer and blogger Lorena Beightler (www.SacCycleChic.com & www.LorenaBeightler.com) loves fashion and bicycling in equal measure and has planned a community building event next month in downtown Sacramento to help celebrate two of her passions.

Her brainchild - Vélo & Vintage - a cycle-chic themed fashion show in which gorgeous models wearing stylish clothes will be actually riding bikes in the show itself on a runway that runs through the already swanky Hot Italian at 16th and Q Streets.

Vélo & Vintage will have two runs (literally) starting at 5:30 and 8:00 p.m. at Hot Italian on Second Saturday, May 8th 2010. West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon is slated to be the Master of Ceremonies. The cyclist models are all locals who represent small independent businesses and tend to be passionate about vintage clothing and cycling about the Capital city.

Helping Ms. Beightler organize the event is Kari Shipman, Sacramento blogger (see blog at Juniper James) and expert in thrift and vintage clothing, especially green and eco-friendly fashion. "I am thrilled to be a part of this fashion show because it is about more than just the clothes and the bikes. It's about bringing together two often separate communities here in Midtown and celebrating them for the contribution they bring to our city," said Shipman.

Shipman continued, "It has been a joy to connect with so many wonderful people from the cycling community and be welcomed with open arms. I can only hope as much for Midtown as a whole, in joining and embracing our efforts."

Beightler began planning the show as part of a project that she is working on in connection with Landmark Education's Self Expression and Leadership Program. Above all Beightler says, "I'm passionate about building community, shopping locally, and helping to promote our local economy."

The event is in its first year and organizers plan to continue the fashion show as an annual tradition. Because Beightler had no budget to work with she had to be creative when assembling her team of organizers: Andrea Lepore from "Hot Italian" (www.HotItalian.net) restaurant offered her location for the event. Juan Ayora Photography (www.JFayora.com) took the advertising photos, Luxe Midtown Salon & Spa (www.Luxe-Midtown.com) provided makeup and hair for our photo shoot and will also provide services for the models at the event, and Jake Favour of Romp Creative (www.RompCreative.com) offered his services to design the marketing materials.

Story sponsored by Sacramento real estate broker www.TheHomeBuyingCenter.com.