Beyond the Runway: The Vision Behind a Gilded Evening

Kelly Weatherholt
4 days ago
4 min read

On October 10, 2026, the Warner Family Sports Foundation will bring together fashion, philanthropy, and purpose at Bella Collina for a Gilded Evening: A Fashion Show of Philanthropy, an extraordinary evening designed to celebrate style while creating meaningful opportunities for young athletes throughout Central Florida.

At first glance, a luxury fashion show and a youth sports foundation may seem like an unexpected pairing. But look beyond the runway, and the connection becomes clear. Both are about confidence, opportunity, self-expression, discipline, and the belief that when people are given the right opportunities, they can discover just how much they are capable of achieving.

More Than a Fashion Show

Gilded Evening is being created as more than a night of beautiful fashion and sophisticated surroundings. It is an opportunity to bring together philanthropists, business leaders, community members, athletes, and supporters who believe in investing in the next generation. Every element of the evening is being thoughtfully designed to create an elevated experience while keeping the Foundation's mission at the heart of the event.

The evening will feature a luxury runway presentation by Zaneta Bailey Atelier, a VIP red carpet experience, elegant photo opportunities, cocktails, gourmet hors d'oeuvres, live entertainment, and a premium cigar lounge. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy an unforgettable evening at one of Central Florida's most beautiful venues while supporting a cause that reaches far beyond the event itself.

Where Fashion Meets Purpose

Fashion has always had the ability to tell a story. A gown, a tailored suit, or a carefully styled look can communicate confidence, individuality, and aspiration before a person ever says a word. That same sense of possibility is at the heart of youth sports. For a young athlete, stepping onto a court, field, or track can be transformative. Sports can teach discipline, teamwork, accountability, perseverance, leadership, and confidence. They can introduce young people to mentors, lifelong friends, and experiences that shape who they become long after their playing days are over. A Gilded Evening brings these worlds together to remind our community that creating opportunities for young people is something worth celebrating.

A Vision From the Runway

The vision for a Gilded Evening would not be possible without the incredible creative talent and passion behind the fashion experience. Zaneta “Ziggy” Bailey-Lee is helping bring the runway to life, creating a setting where fashion becomes part of a much larger story about giving back. For Zaneta, fashion is more than a career. It is a craft she has spent 30 years developing through design, styling, construction, and creative direction. Her work has included styling for her brother, multi-platinum recording artist Chingy, designing for music and entertainment projects, showcasing her collections at major fashion events, and creating custom pieces for notable clients. Her career includes appearances and work connected to BET, Neiman Marcus, the Millennium Tour, and Orlando's fashion community.

“At 10 years old, before I knew myself as a woman, I knew that I was a fashion designer.”

Today, Zaneta continues to shape the fashion landscape as the Chief Creative Director for Orlando International Fashion Week, bringing her experience and creative vision to a new generation of designers and fashion enthusiasts. Beyond the runway and her work in fashion, she is a mother of two who enjoys the simple pleasures of coffee and reading. Her combination of creativity, experience, entrepreneurship, and passion for fashion makes her a fitting creative force behind an evening designed to celebrate both style and purpose.

Her involvement represents an important part of what makes a Gilded Evening unique. This isn't simply a fashion show that happens to benefit a nonprofit. It is an evening intentionally built around the idea that creativity, business, fashion, and philanthropy can come together to make an impact.

Investing in the Next Generation

The Warner Family Sports Foundation works to expand access to youth sports and create opportunities for young people throughout Central Florida. Through scholarships, athletic programs, community sports experiences, wellness initiatives, leadership opportunities, and partnerships with schools and community organizations, the Foundation works to remove barriers and help young people discover their potential both on and off the field.

That work is about much more than helping a child participate in a sport. It is about giving them a place to belong, people to learn from, and experiences that can help shape their future. When a community invests in young athletes, the impact can extend well beyond a single season or competition. The lessons learned through sports can follow a young person into the classroom, the workplace, their relationships, and eventually into the communities they will help lead.

An Evening Worth Dressing Up For

There is something special about getting dressed up for an evening with a purpose. Gilded Evening is being designed to offer guests the opportunity to do exactly that.

From the moment guests arrive and walk the red carpet to the final moments of the runway presentation, the evening will celebrate sophistication, creativity, generosity, and community. It is an invitation to step away from the everyday and experience something extraordinary while knowing that your presence is contributing to something much bigger.

Want your own designer couture? Contact Zaneta to have a custom piece made for you.

https://zanetabailey.com
https://zanetabailey.com
https://zanetabailey.com
https://zanetabailey.com
Zaneta Bailey Atelier

The Real Impact Happens Beyond the Runway

When the lights dim and the final model leaves the runway, the purpose of Gilded Evening continues. The support generated through the event helps the Warner Family Sports Foundation continue its work with young athletes and families throughout Central Florida.

That is ultimately what makes the evening meaningful. The gowns, the runway, the red carpet, the cocktails, and the beautiful setting create an unforgettable experience, but the lasting impact comes from what that experience makes possible afterward.

Gilded Evening is a celebration of what happens when a community comes together with a shared vision: to empower youth, strengthen families, and build healthier communities through the power of sports.

Join Us for Gilded Evening

On October 10, 2026, we invite you to join us at Bella Collina in Montverde, Florida for an evening where fashion meets philanthropy and elegance meets purpose. Whether you attend as a guest, sponsor, community partner, or supporter of youth sports, you will be part of something designed to leave a lasting impression.

Because beyond the runway, beyond the glamour, and beyond one extraordinary evening, there are young athletes waiting for their next opportunity.

Reserve your place at Gilded Evening and help us create what comes next.

Reserve Tickets for Gilded Evening presented by Braatz Wealth