Couture for a Cause is an annual fashion show fundraiser benefiting Activate Good, the Volunteer Center of Raleigh/Wake County. It has been held in downtown Raleigh each year in the Fall since 2009 at Marbles Kids Museum. The 2011 event was the largest ever with over 400 guests in attendance.

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For Couture for a Cause, local designers are paired with Activate Good’s nonprofit partners to create looks that embody the missions and spirits of those organizations. Designers compete for a cash prize in Couture and Ready-to-Wear categories, and a winner is determined by a panel of judges consisting of local fashion and volunteer experts. 

Funds raised at Couture for a Cause support Activate Good's volunteer programs as well as raise awareness of several of its nonprofit partners. Since 2009, each of the past Couture for a Cause shows have included approximately 20 designers of all expertise levels (from student to professional) and partnering nonprofits whose spirits were captured in the designs sent down the runway. Some past participating nonprofit partners have included Grow and Share, Susan G. Komen of the Triangle, Ten Thousand Villages, Neuse Riverkeeper Foundation, Joel Lane Museum House, Trees Across Raleigh, The Flower Shuttle, Zach's Toy Chest, and others. 

Photos depicted here were taken by Raleigh photographer, Chris Florio.