Each of the 16 foster teen models looked a bit timid when they first stepped onto the runway at The Pinery on the Hill, but they stepped off beaming bright, confident smiles at a fashion event that felt a like a coming-of-age celebration.

One by one, the girls showed off back-to-school, western, career and formal ensembles during Project Funway, CASA of the Pikes Peak Region’s benefit for The Hanger Project, on Sunday. But the event was about more than clothes, hair and makeup. It was about empowering foster teens and giving them an experience that could inspire them to reach for something better than what they’ve lived through, said Jane Hegstrom, a volunteer with CASA who’s worked with children in foster care for 14 years.

“These girls have grown up seeing the dark side of humanity,” Hegstrom said. “An event like this, where so many people who don’t even know them are here to encourage and support them, shows them the brighter side of humanity and that they deserve to find their happiness there.”

About six months in the making, the Project Funway fall fashion show featured clothes from The Hanger, a nonprofit retail outlet exclusively for teens in the foster care system, and Kirk and Hill, a local women’s clothing retailer.

With bright green and purple streaks in her blonde hair, sparkly purple eyeshadow and myriad facial piercings, 17-year-old Winter Schow smiled widely after the fashion show. She’s worked at The Hanger since January and said the experience she’s had because of the nonprofit outlet, including Project Funway, help to prepare her for adulthood.

“The fashion show really helped me deal with my stage fright,” Schow said. “I just went with the music and smiled and then I felt comfortable and happy. The Hanger has taught me to be more sociable, to open up to people and how to do it appropriately. I learn life lessons every single day I work there.”

B&Co., a new hair lounge in downtown Colorado Springs, donated hair and makeup design services for all the foster teens and CASA’s Circle of Impact members, who also modeled in the show.

“There’s nothing better than being able to use your passion to help the community, and seeing all the girls so excited about getting their hair and makeup done for the event was so touching,” said Brittany Jones, B&Co. owner. “I always want to find ways to be involved in the community, and there’s no better place to start than with kids. They are our future.”

The fashion show went off without a hitch. The girls embraced the energy the crowd of about 120 women, among them several of the teens’ foster mothers. Many of CASA’s volunteers shed tears of happiness as they watched the teens walk the runway confidently, transformed by the clothes and makeovers. At the conclusion of the show, as all 16 foster teens filled the runway for their final walk, the audience gave them a standing ovation.

“The bar was raised and the girls jumped right over it. They were fantastic,” said Robin Stieber, The Hanger’s project coordinator. “This is about empowering these girls. I see them at The Hanger, they go in shy and often withdrawn and they leave confident and excited. It’s a self-esteem building store.”

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Contact Andrea Sinclair: 636-0235

Twitter @GazetteAndrea

While doing hair for feens participating in Project Funway, stylist Brittany Jones (center) gets a big hug from the grateful teen for giving her the perfect style to go with her glamourous dress. The teens who were the stars of the fashion show are teens from the foster home system. The show was held at The Pinery at the Hill event center on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit The Hanger Project, a program of CASA of the Pikes Peak Region. ONLINE PHOTO GALLERY (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

During Project Funway, attendee Paige Webster cheers on one of the teen models as she twirls on the runway. The teens who were the stars of the fashion show called Project Funway were teens from the foster home system. The show was held at The Pinery at the Hill event center on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit The Hanger Project, a program of CASA of the Pikes Peak Region. ONLINE PHOTO GALLERY (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Winter Schow, 17, models on the runway at Project Funway. The teens who were the stars of the fashion show were teens from the foster home system. The show was held at The Pinery at the Hill event center on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit The Hanger Project, a program of CASA of the Pikes Peak Region. ONLINE PHOTO GALLERY (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Project Funway (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Project Funway (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Project Funway (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Project Funway (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Project Funway (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Project Funway (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Project Funway (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Project Funway (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Project Funway (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Project Funway (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Project Funway (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Project Funway (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Project Funway (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Project Funway (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Project Funway (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Project Funway (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Project Funway (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Project Funway (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Project Funway (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)