The Fashion for a Cause Foundation (FFACF), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, was founded in Las Vegas, NV in 2012 by fashion photographer and philanthropist, Andres Gonzalez, to raise funds and awareness for local charity organizations.

In early 2017, FFACF moved its operations to Florida where corporate leader and consultant, Carlos Junquera, joined the foundation to lead the foundation as Chief Executive Officer and develop the community outreach programs. The Foundation continued to raise awareness and funds for local charities and expanded its mission to support emerging designers nurture their talents by facilitating apprenticeship programs.

Since its inception, FFACF has worked with the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Blind Children’s Foundation, Spring Preserve and Designers and Creative Teams Against Domestic Violence to name a few.

In the latter part of 2017, FFACF launched its premier biannual fashion event, South Florida International Fashion Week (SFIFW), as its main program for emerging fashion designers to showcase their collections. SFIFW has counted with the support of renowned fashion designers including Custo Barcelona and Carmen Steffens. The program has helped launch upcoming designers such as Sebastian Grey, current winner of Bravo’s reality fashion competition, Project Runway, and Anastasio Giannoutsos of Greece. SFIFW has showcased over 40 fashion designers from around the world, is supported by a team of over 100 volunteers, and has become a staple event within the community. SFIFW forms part of the foundation’s capital campaign with the goal to broaden its community outreach programs to include:

• Supporting at-risk youth through self-esteem and empowerment programs;
• Offering workshops to teach men and women with barriers to employment an industry related trade to achieve economic independence; and
• Offering work space for emerging designers and artists.

In late 2019, FFACF launched The Runways, its new platform to support emerging designers gain exposure and network with industry professionals. The Runways will showcase fashion collectives during the world’s renowned fashion week events, debuting its initial runway show in February 2020 during New York Fashion Week. The Runways New York will feature Jhoan Sebastian Grey’s premiere runway show at New York Fashion Week.