Windsor resident Charle Perez, 16, will model at a fashion show later this year put on for and by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“It’s just me,” Perez said of being an admirer of fashion. “It’s who I am.”
This will be the second year The Arc of Northeast Colorado has hosted “Styles Beyond Stereotypes.” It’s a fundraiser for the expanding nonprofit dedicated to advocacy for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Perez didn’t want to reveal too much about his outfit for the fashion show. He said he had a good time trying on different clothes. Perez heard about the fashion show from his unified basketball coach through The Arc.
Though the show, “Styles Beyond Stereotypes,” isn’t until Saturday, Oct. 25 at the University of Northern Colorado, preparations have already started — including a kick-off gathering Thursday afternoon at Avery’s Modern Teahouse in Loveland. An eatery and coffee and tea shop in Centerra, Avery’s employs people with intellectuals and developmental disabilities.
Thursday’s kickoff brought together some of this year’s models with models who appeared last year, capping off a week of celebration that included clothing fittings for the models with designers and photo shoots.
“We want to carry on the tradition and keep it going with the families,” said Amelia Koehmstedt, executive director of The Arc.
Jovie Peak, 4, takes in all the festivities Thursday, June 12, 2025, during a kick-off party for The Arc of Northeast Colorado's inclusive fashion show that will be later this year at University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. Peak will be one of the show's models. She attended the party with other models, family, clothing designers, and more at Avery's Modern Teahouse in Loveland. (Jenny Sparks/Loveland Reporter-Herald)Perez’s mother, Bri, said she was amazed with the effort behind the fashion show. She was pleased with Charle and the other models having chances to try different activities.
“We all had opportunities, and they’re not always as open for others,” Bri Perez said. “With the fashion show, they’re seeing different things.”
Money and funds are important for nonprofits to cover costs and programs, and The Arc of Northeast Colorado is no different. Last year, the no-fee organization officially expanded its reach to cover seven Colorado counties and one-tenth of the state. Previously known as The Arc of Weld County, the name change pulled in populations from Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington and Yuma counties where the organization already had a reach.
“Styles Beyond Stereotypes” is important, a leader of The Arc said, because it’s a natural extension of the organization’s mission — to break down barriers and perceptions of individuals with disabilities. On the show runway this year will be 24 models from The Arc family. Ranging in ages from 2 to 76 years old, the models have participated in sports and events through The Arc. The fashion show will give them more of a public presence. It should also be an empowering event.
“We wanted something to move the needle and change how we view individuals with disabilities,” said Lori Couch, The Arc’s director of development. “Doing jobs, work, sports and doing different things, it’s confidence. The limits society puts on them, they don’t have to listen to those. Let’s set new standards.”
New designers will assist in this year’s show: sisters Victoria and Alexandra Birch from Ruston, Louisiana. The women are active on social media platforms, and they came to the area with two members of their team. They sew clothes, including using old garments to make new pieces. The sisters have been in the area all week, helping the models select outfits for the show.
Known as The Birch Family, the sisters can be found on YouTube (youtube.com/@TheBirchFamily), Facebook (facebook.com/thebirchfamily) and Instagram (instagram.com/the.birch.family).
Models’ clothing was sourced from arc Thrift Stores in Greeley, Fort Collins and Loveland. The thrift stores’ branding spells ‘arc’ in lowercase letters and does not use ‘The’ in front of the name. While not directly tied together, money from sales at the thrift stores supports the Colorado Arc Network, which is 15 state and local chapters including The Arc of Northeast Colorado.
The funding from thrift store sales does not cover all of the nonprofit’s outreach efforts, Koehmstedt said. The organization continues to fundraise to provide events such as pool parties, unified basketball, the No Limits Camp at the University of Northern Colorado and work in counties outside of Weld.
The Birches became acquainted with The Arc of Northeast Colorado, its work and the fashion show through Timnath resident Jen Keeton. Keeton’s 14-year-old daughter, Stella, has a rare genetic condition called Williams syndrome and was a model at last year’s “Styles Beyond Stereotypes” show.
Stella was diagnosed when she was 5. The diagnosis came late and suddenly with help from one of Stella’s teachers, Jen Keeton said.
“I heard everything bad about disabilities, and it was heartbreaking,” Jen Keeton said. “I want people to see my child as I see her. There are challenges and so many possibilities.”
Vallyn Weber, 13, gets a hug from her friend, Shelly Prenger on Thursday, June 12, 2025, during a kick-off party for The Arc of Northeast Colorado's inclusive fashion show that will be later this year at University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. Weber is one of the models for the show who attended the kick-off party along with their clothing designers and others at Avery's Modern Teahouse in Loveland. (Jenny Sparks/Loveland Reporter-Herald)The Birches met Keeton last year at a conference on Williams syndrome in Phoenix. The Birch sisters are advocates for raising awareness of Williams syndrome.
Alexandra Birch, the younger of the sisters, also has Williams syndrome and will be a model in this year’s show.
Williams syndrome is present at birth and equally affects males and females and in all cultures worldwide, according to the Williams syndrome Association website. The condition is characterized by medical issues, including cardiovascular disease, developmental delays and learning challenges. These components often occur with striking verbal abilities, highly social personalities and an affinity for music, the association says.
Williams syndrome is caused by the spontaneous deletion of genes on a chromosome at the time of conception.
Couch said Victoria and Alexandra Birch “live and breathe” the beliefs of The Arc. This includes understanding the wants and needs of the models, some of whom have definite preferences on textures of materials of the clothes, the colors and sizes.
Victoria Birch said she’s taking the models’ clothes home with her this weekend. She’ll work on them over the next few months, to fix them up to the models’ liking and bring them back for the show in October.
“We fitted everyone and know what they’re wearing,” Victoria Birch said. “We figured out what the models like and what’s comfortable. We’re all excited.”
For more information on “Styles Beyond Stereotypes,” go to stylesbeyondstereotypes.org.
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