Fashion at the Market Raises $1,000 for Heidelberg Project

The first-ever fashion show fundraiser at the Birmingham Farmers Market Sunday generated more than $1,000 for the non-profit Heidelberg Project located in downtown Detroit, organizers said.

Developed by Lahser High School freshman Tess Garcia, the show was a way to bring a little fun and awareness of the Detroit art colony to the weekly Farmers Market following a devastating fire last month that destroyed one of the buildings. No one was injured in what property owner and artist Tyree Guyton said he believes was arson. Police are investigating.

Local students modeled clothes from Birmingham merchants Double Up, Lexi Drew, J. McLaughlin, Restyle Child and Sam & Lola. Luigi Bruni Salon provided hair styles and Qdoba Mexican Grill provided lunch.

The show also had several sponsors, including: Friends of Preservation Bloomfield; Harp's Lingerie; Thomas G. Hardy-Attorney At Law; Restyle Child and Lanie Hardy Cosgrove of Hall & Hunter Realtors. Garcia became involved with the Heidelberg project last summer and organized the event with John Heiney, president of Birmingham's Principal Shopping District after one of the larger structures in the Heidelberg neighborhood, known as the "Obstruction of Justice," or "OJ" house, burned to the ground on May 3.