Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcella Richardson.
Hi Marcella, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
It all started when I was about 10 years old and I was designing clothes and holding fashion events in my grandmothers garage… It was and continues to be amazing. Throughout the years I held and was involved in a numerous fashion groups, clubs and showcases. The locations rage from Buffalo, New York, New York City, Houston, Texas, Santa Clara, California and now DFW, Texas area.
In 2014 Runway Dallas® was launched and has impacted and helped to advance the careers of Designers, Models, Stylists, Bloggers and other industry professionals from all over the world. It started with a successful meetup group where we formulated a team of 14 people that volunteered their time and skills to help us get off to an amazing start. We have had 8 seasons of fashion week showcases, partnered fashion showcases, press conferences, designer sample sales, youth fashion events, business workshops, marketing events, modeling training, designer platforms, and so much more. We are about developing people for success.
Runway Dallas® has launched over 77 emerging brands since its debut and has a broad reach and commitment to helping to develop those that work with us on any capacity. We also aim to bring value and economic increase to the communities in which we work. Runway Dallas® is more than a fashion week event—we’re a dynamic business where fashion, design, talent, and brand innovation converge. Founded with a bold vision to cultivate and elevate creative professionals. Runway Dallas® serves as a launchpad for emerging designers, models, and entrepreneurs ready to make their mark.
HOW HAVE WE DONE THIS BEFORE?
As always, we advance by putting proven systems in place to prepare for upcoming seasons, shows and events. Previous events have been major successes where we have broken attendance records, effectively marketed brands, helped promote thriving talent venues and drove business growth for local companies. Runway Dallas® has set the standard for high end fashion week events in the DFW market. We are able to bring together major talents that represent, not only fashion, but also; the music industry, sports, artists, specialty designers, painters, the Avante Garde couture, television networks, media platforms, worldwide recognized brands, schools and organizations. We’ve set the stage with live bands, Red Carpet interviews and photo opportunities, open exhibitor tables where guests could inquire and/or make purchases while networking and previewing partner information and promotional products.
Previous Seasons success:
• Record breaking attendance records, decked out venues and beautiful galleries
• Runway event for the Superbowl 50 in California ; in Houston, NYC.
• Made impact in the Dallas-Fort Worth, New York City, California and Houston markets.
• Sourced bringing together major talents, such as; Musician Artists, Specialty Designers, Painters, Avante Garde Couture, Television Networks, Media Platforms, Worldwide Recognized Brands, Schools, other Organization
• Set the stage with amazing talents of violinist, pianist & band
• Red Carpet gathering and marketing
• Designer Sample sales
• Open exhibits to promote partners and vendors
Demographic Diversity
Our participants as well as our audiences are of vast diversity. Based on a census done April 2025, the population of the Dallas-Fort Worth area reached about 8.5 million. The population is consistently growing, with the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex being one of the fastest-growing areas in the country. The DFW area has a mixed record as a top place to live, with different reports highlighting its strengths like a thriving job market, diverse culture, and family-friendly environments.
In turn Runway Dallas® has also experienced growing interest and participation in our fashion industry on-going and semi-annual events. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is on an incline and therefore on the radar of industry influencers as the next top up and coming market for fashion in the world.
Our cultural demographic includes but is not limited to:
White
Black
Mexican
Puerto Rican
Cuban
Latino
Hispanic
Koreans
Taiwanese
Chinese
Vietnamese
Thai
Indians
Pakistanis
Sri Lankans
Somalia
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Russians
Uzbek
Ukrainians
The Dallas-Fort Worth fashion industry is a growing sector encompassing retail, wholesale, and design, with the Dallas Market Center and Fashion Industry Gallery serving as key hubs for apparel and accessories markets and showrooms. Dallas boasts a rich fashion history, once being the second-largest fashion market in the U.S., and now includes various modeling agencies, designers, and retailers ranging from luxury to contemporary and authentic Western wear. Events like Dallas Fashion Week and the presence of major international brands and local boutiques also contribute to its vibrancy and cultural identity.
HOW WE ROLL…
The basic format for a Runway Dallas® FASHION WEEK & Designer Showcase is as follows:
• We showcase our Designer collections before an audience of
o Media/Press journalists
o Story writers
o Industry bloggers
o Fashion buyers
o High-end boutique owners
o Photographers/videographers
o Industry influencers
• We present special times for
o Networking reception
o Reviewing Designers collection look books
o Guests to visit Partner/Exhibitor tables for services or products purchases
o Enjoying musical talents and art exhibits
o Private industry networking with Partners & Sponsors
o A successful night of fashion, insight and business
Additionally, our marketing and audience reach is second to none. Collectively, our leaders and marketing team place a high level of attention and focus on brand positioning and exposure. We target not only for Runway Dallas®, but also for every partner and participant as we market through a model for advertising and target reach. This includes, but is not limited to: social media marketing; direct publicity; marketing campaigns; marketing through events; live content and promotion; and more.
Not only are our brands and partners marketed at the event, but also before and after- advertising leading up to the event and remaining on website and social platforms after; and locally and nationally; and domestically and internationally to consumers and RWD partners & partnering events. We believe in a commitment to fidelity and uphold that standard because we value those that have valued us and invested in what we do
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Some of the struggles have been :
– Financial resources
– Volunteers in some areas
How have we handled them:
– Work from our own financial resources
– Currently, bringing on sponsors/partners
– With the help of our current team, bring on quality and qualified volunteer candidate
– Training and coaching our team providing quality support
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
What should we know?
Within Runway Dallas® we are a non-profit structure and within our organization we have our own media company, charity organization, modeling agency (coming soon), business development division
What do you do? I am the CEO and founder of Runway Dallas and I am also a designer of a fashion collection- Marcella Collection (https://www.marcellacollection.com/)
What do you specialize in? I specialize in people development
What are you known for? Even in my real estate business I was into people development. I worked as an Assistant Team Leader
What sets you apart from others? What sets me apart is my relationship with God / Jesus and a desire to operate at a higher level in my life- business- relationships, etc
What are you most pleased with brand wise? The reputation of integrity, quality and excellence that we have built
What do you want our readers to know about your brand, offerings, services, etc? We are gearing up for our net fashion week event May 11th – 16th, 2026. Details can be found at www.runwaydallas.net
Any big plans?
Runway Dallas® Fashion Week
Date: Monday, May 11th, 2026 – Saturday, May 6th, 2026
Location: Loews Arlington Hotel & Convention Center
888 Nolan Ryan Expy, Arlington, TX 76011
At the heart of the Arlington Entertainment District
The new Runway Dallas® Podcast- “The Rundown”
The new Runway Dallas though-leader panel- “Beyond the Cut”
Pricing:
- Designer Submission
- Vendor Applications
- Industry Night Event Tickets
- Press Conference/Beyond the Cut Admission
- Designer Showcase Tickets
Contact Info:
- Website: https://runwaydallas.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runwaydallasfashionweek/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RunwayDallasFashionWeek
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/runway-dallas/
- Twitter: https://x.com/Runway_Dallas
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@runwaydallas
- Other: https://www.marcellacollection.com/
Image Credits
Photographs by Nick Weaver
