Central Florida News
Orlando International Fashion Week Announces Second Model Casting and Fall 2025 Lineup
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – Orlando International Fashion Week (OIFW) energized the city with its first Fall 2025 model casting, held Saturday, September 20 at Afro TV Studios. More than 200 aspiring and professional models attended the high-energy event, which partnered with Urban Fest 360, giving participants the chance to experience 60 featured films during the festival. Several models were immediately cast for upcoming fashion shows, while others were selected for blind skit performances, blending fashion, performance, and entertainment.
Designers, Stylists, and Boutiques in Attendance
Notable industry leaders were on hand to guide models and scout talent, including fashion consultant and leadership coach Carilyn Egleé, Culture Trees Designs with its bold ready-to-wear collections, and designer Ellie Paisley Miller, who brings a social media following of 150,000. Models received hands-on mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to future OIFW showcases and award ceremonies, including the Global Peace Film Festival and Urban Fest 360 Awards.
Upcoming Model Casting – September 28
OIFW announced its second Fall 2025 casting, scheduled for Sunday, September 28, 2025, from 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM at CityArts Gallery in Downtown Orlando. Models will have another chance to be cast for OIFW runway shows, meet designers, and take part in behind-the-scenes activities. Designers, boutiques, and stylists are also invited to apply via the OIFW website for a chance to showcase collections during the season.
Fall 2025 Fashion Shows and Tickets
Two major events headline OIFW this November:
OIFW Fashion & Art at CityArts – Sunday, November 9, 2025, at 6:00 PM. Sponsored by Downtown Arts District, the show will merge visual art and high fashion in a single evening.
OIFW Fashion Shows: Eola View – Sunday, November 16, 2025, featuring two full runway productions at 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM, spotlighting top designers from Orlando and beyond.
Early-bird tickets for both events are available now on Eventbrite, with organizers encouraging attendees to secure seats early for the immersive fashion and art showcases.
Central Florida News
Commissioner Uribe Announces New Date for Hispanic Heritage Festival Due to Weather
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Commissioner Uribe announced that the Hispanic Heritage Festival has been rescheduled due to weather conditions. The event will now take place Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, from 9 a.m. to noon at Cypress Grove Park, 290 Holden Ave., Orlando.
The festival will celebrate the rich history, cultures, traditions and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities through live music, dance performances, food and community resources.
Scheduled highlights include:
- Live music by youth orchestra The Nucleus Orchestral.
- Dance performances featuring Maria Saavedra of FusionFest with Huellas de Colombia, Unidos for Ecuador and Mexico Dansa.
- Food from Zaza.
- Community resources from 311 and other participants.
Join Commissioner Uribe and the community for a morning celebrating Hispanic and Latino heritage.
NEW DATE: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026
TIME: 9 a.m. to noon
LOCATION: Cypress Grove Park
ADDRESS: 290 Holden Ave., Orlando, FL 32839
New team will debut at the Yuengling Center in summer 2027 as fans help shape the franchise’s identity
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — UPSHOT League officially announced the arrival of professional women’s basketball in Tampa Bay, with the new franchise scheduled to begin play at the Yuengling Center in summer 2027.
UPSHOT Tampa branding unveiled as the league prepares for its inaugural 2027 season in Tampa Bay. Image courtesy of UPSHOT Tampa.
Owner Morgan Busby introduced the vision behind bringing elite women’s basketball to the region, while Garland Cooper was announced as team president. UPSHOT Deputy Commissioner Taj McWilliams-Franklin also joined the launch alongside local leaders as the organization emphasized community involvement, fan experience and competitive excellence as core parts of the franchise.
FAN INVOLVEMENT: The Tampa franchise does not yet have an official team name. Fans are being invited to submit ideas and take part in helping shape the team’s identity ahead of its inaugural season. Season-ticket deposits and founding membership opportunities are also available.
UPSHOT Tampa President Garland Cooper speaks with media following the announcement of Tampa Bay’s new professional women’s basketball franchise. Photo courtesy of UPSHOT Tampa.
Community outreach began immediately with a “Shoe a Day” initiative supporting young athletes in the Tampa Bay area. During media availability, Cooper also spoke about the importance of giving young girls an opportunity to see what is possible through professional women’s sports.
Hillsborough County Administrator Bonnie Wise and Advisory Board Chair Kathleen Shanahan were among the community leaders in attendance, highlighting the potential economic and social impact of adding another professional sports organization to the region.
INAUGURAL SEASON: UPSHOT Tampa is scheduled to tip off at the Yuengling Center in summer 2027, adding professional women’s basketball to an established Tampa Bay sports market that already includes the Buccaneers, Lightning and Rays.
The team name, branding and additional franchise details are expected to be announced as the organization continues building toward its first season.
– Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
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