Provided by Fashion Fest
One of the Twin Cities’ most anticipated fashion events of the year returns to the Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel Nov. 21—and with it, a runway packed with familiar faces, from reality TV stars and radio hosts to business and community leaders.
FashionFest’s unique ability to unite the community—celebrities and all—is a testament to the greater cause it serves. In support of M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital, the evening’s festivities will raise funds for groundbreaking pediatric health care, benefiting children across the country. Across its past 11 years, FashionFest has raised more than $3.5 million for crucial pediatric services, proving that fashion and philanthropy make a powerful pair.
Provided by Fashion Fest
“It’s not as much about being a celebrity model as it is about my passion for what the University of Minnesota’s Masonic Children’s Hospital is doing,” says Natalie Bushaw, Vice President of Public Relations at Life Time. “If it weren’t for Masonic, I wouldn’t even be a celebrity model.”
The evening—complete with sips, shopping, auction packages, and runway couture—offers a rare convergence of fashion and health care, uniting the best of Minnesota’s researchers, medical professionals, media personalities, and fashion icons under one roof. Ahead of the star-studded runway, we caught up with three of the evening’s celebrity models to chat all things fashion, community, and generosity—uncovering personal ties to the evening’s cause and deep appreciation for the Twin Cities’ spirit of compassion.
Natalie Bushaw
Natalie Bushaw’s leadership position at Life Time did not come to fruition by accident, but what she believes to be divine intervention. A fierce advocate for fitness at every age, Bushaw was forced to reimagine her workout routine after the arrival of her twin boys in 2003, who were born with significant health challenges. Now in “the best shape of her life,” Bushaw finds passion in helping other members embark on similar life-changing journeys as Vice President of Public Relations at Life Time, a role she describes as her dream job. Read our conversation with Bushaw below before you catch her on the runway at FashionFest, wearing an ensemble from Life Time’s exclusive apparel collection.
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E: What excites you most about stepping into the role of celebrity model at FashionFest?
N: The Masonic Children’s Hospital has been a part of our family’s life since our twin boys were 22 weeks in Utero, and now they’re 22 years old. As a parent who has a child that has gone through significant medical challenges, it’s actually indescribable to know that [my son] is still here and I have two thriving boys, and it’s because of the work that happens at the U of M and the doctors and nurses who have saved his life more times than I can count. For me, that’s what the night is about. Just being able to be on the stage and smile knowing that we are the product of a family that is here because of the work of the U of M. It is my most personal cause.
E: You’ve navigated many chapters in your life that required resilience, particularly during your son’s health challenges. How does that history shape how you will show up on the runway?
N: I am a pretty faithful person, and I have always been able to have confidence in whatever outcomes might be because I know who’s carrying the way. And that’s helped me show up with joy even when days have been really crummy and unknown. So, I would say that I will show up on the runway joy-filled, because that’s just who I am and it’s what I do, and it’s what I know has helped me get through so many difficult times. Not wallowing, or wondering or worrying, but finding the bright side, small blessings and the little and big miracles along the way.
E: Many women might see themselves in your story—balancing career growth, family needs, and health and fitness. What part of your journey do you hope will resonate with audiences at FashionFest?
N: I’m going to be coming out wearing an outfit from our Life Time apparel collection, and I think that there’s an opportunity to encourage women to just keep going. Stay focused, do the things that are important to you but also do the things that will help you be a stronger parent, friend, employee, and leader. My fitness journey has not changed at all over the last 20 years, so I hope I can be a little bit of an inspiration in that way. Like, ‘Gosh, she’s older now and she’s still doing the things that she wants to be doing while finding ways to give back and do good in the community.’
E: How would you speak to those who might see age as a barrier to their health and fitness?
N: Here’s what I would say: I think the game has changed. When I was younger and my grandparents were in their 50s, they seemed old—and they didn’t do the things that we are doing today. We’re only as old as we feel, and we’re only as old, frankly, as we allow ourselves to look. We can actually be better, stronger, healthier, and more confident as we age compared to when we were young.
E: Fashion can be a powerful mirror for identity. If your runway moment could symbolize one theme—whether its resilience, leadership, strength—what would you choose and why?
N: I’m going to say believe in yourself. If we can believe in ourselves, we can conquer any of the challenges that come before us. As it relates to FashionFest, I know what the event does for parents like me and patients like my son—it’s life-changing. So, I want people to leave believing that they can get through any challenge that comes their way—whether it’s medical-related or not.
Leslie Fhima
A name increasingly recognized not just in Minnesota, but nationwide, Leslie Fhima went on television in 2023 to find love—and came back having found so much more. As the runner-up on ABC’s debut season of “The Golden Bachelor,” Fhima captured hearts with her strength, grace, and authenticity, proving that confidence and connection knows no age limit. Since then, she’s continued to empower women on and off screen—most recently as a part of “Bachelor in Paradise,” where she joined its first-ever mixed-age cast. A former professional figure skater and 10-time marathon runner, Fhima brings that same poise and energy to everything she does, including her next spotlight moment: the runway. We caught up with Fhima below to chat about her upcoming celebrity model appearance, where she will be wearing a dress from Melly at the Galleria.
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E: You’ve become a familiar face across the country, but FashionFest really hones in on your involvement in the community here in Minnesota. What does it feel like to step into this role as a local celebrity ?
L: Well, I love my city. I’m a Minneapolis girl through and through, a Minnesota girl, whatever you want to call it. I felt like I had a little bit of a platform before the show, but now obviously it’s a bigger platform, and anything I can do for my city, and for the causes that I believe in, I’m there. I’m so happy that to have this platform where I can help in any way I can.
E: FashionFest benefits pediatric research. What about this cause resonates with you personally and why are you excited to support the Masonic Children’s Hospital?
L: I have three kids and I have three grandkids, almost four. And my grandson, who’s 12 now, was very sick when he was born. He was in the hospital when he was seven days old for a couple of weeks. The way the nurses and the doctors took care of him, I mean, they were amazing. My daughter-in law’s a NICU nurse and I just feel that it’s a very important cause. I mean, they’re children, they’re babies. Anything we can do to help children in any way, whatever it is, I’m all in.
E: Let’s talk a little bit about ‘The Golden Bachelor.’ When the show first launched, what about its theme resonated with you? What made you want to take that leap of faith?
L: I’m always a girl that took chances and threw things at the wall to see if they would stick. And I was always a fan of the show. I’ve been watching literally since its conception and seeing all these beautiful young people try to find love and I felt like it was really our time. I couldn’t wait to show America that just because you’re in your 60s, it doesn’t mean you’re old. I don’t feel old, I’m young hearted. I spend time with my kids a lot and their friends and my grandkids, and I keep up. I’m hip—at least my kids tell me that. It was really encouraging to see so many young people come up to me [after the sow] and say ‘you make growing old look amazing,’ and ‘I’m not afraid to grow old now.’ I was glad that I could touch younger people and show them that just because you’re old doesn’t mean your life stops.
E: Can you share what you will be wearing on the runway and how or why it complements your personal style?
L: I just came from my fitting at Melly, and I am wearing a beautiful black dress. I didn’t even look at anything else, I put it on and it fit perfectly. I felt great in it and it’s definitely a dress that I would love if I was going to a fancy occasion—I would’ve worn it on the show if I had it. It’s a very strong basic but it’s also got some leather and some cut-outs to it. I love dresses that hug my body but aren’t too revealing, and this dress is exactly that.
E: You’ve been open about your journey with reinvention and stepping into new chapters. What do you hope attendees can take away from your story at FashionFest?
L: I hope that, first of all, I do the dress justice. And I want my personality to shine, and show people that I’m really a happy person—I’m fit, I’m energetic, and approachable. And I’m there for the same reason as they are. I’m not just doing it because I was asked, I’m doing it because its a really good cause.
Jason Hackett
When broadcaster Jason Hackett moved from Oklahoma City to Minneapolis in 2023 to join the KARE 11 Sunrise team, he quickly became one of the Twin Cities’ favorite faces to wake up to. Born and raised in one of the country’s warmest places (Miami Gardens, Florida), Hackett has found an unparalleled sense of home and belonging in one of its coldest—a community that he feels not only accepts, but celebrates his authentic self. In 2024, he came out as gay during a live segment on KARE 11, an honest moment that sparked overwhelming support from both colleagues and viewers. That embrace, Hackett has shared, awakened a heightened resolve to uplift and empower the LGBTQ+ community, particularly its youth. We chatted with Hackett about identity, representation, and community ahead of his walk at FashionFest, where he will be wearing a winter outerwear ensemble by Trailmark Outfitters at Galleria.
KARE 11
E: FashionFest is all about bringing style and generosity together for a great cause. What drew you to participate in this event, and what does supporting M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital mean to you personally?
J: I moved here [in 2023], and the organizers reached out, like, ‘We have this great event, FashionFest. It benefits the Children’s Hospital.’ My immediate thought was, I have never modeled in my life. I don’t consider myself a model. I don’t know anything about modeling, but the idea of helping an event that benefits children was really, really appealing to me. I try to get involved with causes here in the Twin Cities that benefit underprivileged kids, or kids that need a leg up. So, for me, it was a no-brainer, despite the fact that I don’t have a modeling bone in my body. It’s a great event, and I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of it.
E: FashionFest brings together leaders from across Minnesota—media, medicine, and beyond. What does it mean to you to stand alongside so many local changemakers in support of children’s health?
J: It means a lot. As one of these ‘changemakers,’ using my platform for good is so important, and its great to see so many people around me that are much more famous and much more popular than me doing the same. You have athletes and all kinds of people that are very influential in the community; the fact that we’re all coming together for this amazing cause is really, really cool. To unite around something like this and promote the well-being of children and families, that’s something I don’t take for granted.
E: KARE 11 has a long tradition of community involvement. How do events like FashionFest fit into that culture of giving back and staying connected to Minnesotans on and off camera?
J: I mean, that’s definitely the KARE motto. One of the things that drew me to KARE 11, you know, being an outsider, was that KARE brand. It’s known as a brand that cares for the community, that’s ingrained in the community, and is all about telling the community’s story. I feel like [FashionFest] fits perfectly into that philosophy that KARE has of looking out for one another, looking out for our neighbors, looking out for our community, and being visible as on-air talents in those efforts.
E: You’ve shared before that representation matters deeply to you. How do you hope your involvement in an event like this might inspire viewers who see themselves in your story?
J: I’ve always been an advocate for representation, and as a gay black man with very little modeling experience, I hope this shows that anybody can get out there and do something like this for a good cause. You don’t have to have the chops, you don’t have to have the looks, you don’t have to have the walk, you just have to have a desire to help your community and help those around you. And as long as you have that, you’ll go out there and shine on that catwalk.
E: You’ve spoken openly about authenticity and representation in media. What message do you hope to send by stepping onto the FashionFest runway as your full, authentic self?
J: My partner is actually walking on stage with me at the event, which is really cool. I’ve never gotten the chance in other markets I’ve worked in to just publicly be myself with my partner by my side, so that’s a really cool opportunity. I’ve always said that I wanted to be my authentic self working here in Minnesota, especially after I came out. So being able to do that means a lot. I’m just hoping to show other people that you can be your yourself. You can love out loud. You can walk side by side with the person that you love, and you don’t have to be afraid of what the world thinks about you.
Provided by Fashion Fest
