After attending a previous RUNWAY, Wendy Manasse said she and her husband, David Wiese, wanted to help.

With a background in swimwear design, Manasse said she knew fashion.

“We wanted to do something more significant,” Manasse said. “Every penny raised goes to the organization (Jewish Family and Children’s Services).”

Manasse has since become the chief visionary for the event, RUNWAY: The Art of Design, at 5:30 p.m. next Thursday, Sept. 15, at the Amy and Richard Lipeles Auditorium, Alpert Jewish Community Center. She and her husband also underwrite the event.

“It’s a great way to get the community oriented (to the fashion world),” Manasse said. “There aren’t a lot in the area.”

This fall, Manasse said retail trends include bringing sportswear into every day wear; jeans of all sorts, including colors, fringe, cuts; pairing animal prints with plaids/other designs; and others.See more at:formal dresses

“You might see a leopard print with a plaid pair of pants,” Manasse said. “Crazy bright colors with plaid… The crazier it gets the better. The high end fashion designers get more into the craziness.”

She said bringing that craziness to the real world is what this show highlights.

“We might show how to use a scarf or use a color theme throughout the outfit to make not quite over-the-top mixes,” Manasse said. “Those are the ones we’re going to feature.”

An addition this year, she said, is providing shopping lists to attendees, with the brand, price and where to buy the item.

“The number one comment we’ve received is, ‘That’s so cool. I’m going back to my closet to see what I can wear,’” Manasse said.

Another new item this year, will showcase work of designers from the fashion design and merchandising departments at Long Beach City College and California State University, Long Beach.

“We’re going to introduce each student and talk about what made them get into design,” Manasse said. “It’s pretty unusual you find that with a show raising money for an agency using a store’s merchandise.”

Macy’s is providing the clothes for part of the event, she said.

“We’ll follow up more with what’s happening in retail,” Manasse said.

The proceeds from the event go to the JFCS, providing professional, affordable mental health counseling and support in Long Beach and 22 surrounding cities.

An opportunity drawing provides the chance to go to New York for a two-night stay and tour of Hearst Magazines’ Marie Claire, including lunch in the café, a visit to the fashion closet and a tour of Good Housekeeping Institute. Raffle tickets are $100, with 100 tickets available online and at the event until sold out.Read more at:http://www.marieaustralia.com/evening-dresses