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Defying stigma…transforming lives.
2nd Annual
A Fabulous Fashion Event for Charity to Wrap Up Recovery Week Calgary
With remarks from the Honorable Rick Wilson, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction
Saturday, September 26 1:00 – 4:00pm
at Platform Calgary 407 9 Avenue SE, Calgary AB
In support of addiction and mental health recovery.
In conjunction with:
Recovery Day Alberta | Recovery Capital Conference
Recovery Week Calgary
September 20-26, 2026
Celebrating Mental Health and Addiction Recovery
Gold Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Beverage Sponsor
With support from:
Government of Alberta
Rauch Canada Foundation
Donations
All donations go directly to recovery support programs.
Our STORY
Vision Statement
A world where every person in recovery feels seen, valued, and celebrated—supporting inclusive communities, embracing healing, creativity, and connection.
Mission Statement
Sober Runway creates a space where recovery and creative expression intersect, using fashion and storytelling to celebrate resilience and restore hope. We empower individuals in recovery by fostering connection, increasing visibility, and providing meaningful support—particularly within underserved communities—while building pathways to ongoing healing through community programs and resources.
Core Pillars
To connect, uplift, and empower people in recovery through creativity, community, and compassion.
Connection
Healing happens together
Visibility
Every recovery story deserves to be seen & heard
Expression
Creativity as a pathway to healing
Equity
Supporting underserved and stigmatized communities
Support
Removing barriers through tangible resources
LEADERSHIP
Meet Suzzy Anibueze
Founder Suzzy is a trauma-informed community advocate with lived experience in trauma and a background in counseling psychology, addiction, education, and fashion.
Founded in 2025, Sober Runway was born from personal experience and passion—a space where recovery and creative expression meet to restore hope. It celebrates healing and resilience in all communities. The participating models are individuals living in recovery, and they will be showcasing fashions from various local designers.
Testimonials
What Our Supporters Say
Don’t just take our word for it – hear from the people who make this event amazing.
There is often a stigma surrounding substance use—an assumption that this path is a choice. As a driven, successful businesswoman from a successful family, I always believed I could manage every aspect of my life on my own. When my life began to fall apart due to a dependence on alcohol, I tried to tackle it the same way I managed every other challenge: through hard work and perseverance.
When I finally admitted I needed help, I was broken and filled with shame. However, I soon learned that nobody can manage this disease alone, and I discovered the incredible beauty of recovery communities. Before sobriety, I was an outgoing and highly social person; suddenly, I felt insecure and without purpose. It took time to realize that admitting I had a problem wasn’t a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength.
This is why I am so passionate about Sober Runway. This event offers people in recovery a life-changing opportunity to step back into life and out of their comfort zones. By walking the runway in garments and accessories from leading Canadian designers, participants help raise funds for the next person seeking support for substance dependence.
Susan S.
Before getting involved in Sober Runway, early sobriety often felt like an exercise in hiding. I was doing the work to stay sober but I was still carrying a lot of the old shame, and struggling to figure out who I was without a substance to lean on. I often felt disconnected and unsure of myself in my own skin. When the opportunity came up to participate in Sober Runway, I was absolutely terrified. Every instinct told me to blend in the background like I used to. But stepping out under those lights changed something in me. Walking out into a room full of people who weren’t just observing, but actively celebrating recovery was an incredible rush. For the first time in a long time I felt completely seen, beautiful, and proud of the journey that brought me there. The energy of the crowd reminded me I’m not doing this alone. That experience shifted my entire perspective on my sobriety. It taught me that sobriety isn’t just surviving or quitting a habit, it’s about stepping out into a vibrant beautiful life that I actually want to be present for. Sober Runway definitely impacted me for the better. It gave me confidence, pride and a sense of belonging, and opened my eyes to a great community of people who motivate and bring positivity to my life. Thank you!
Cassandra N.
2025 Sober Runway Model
On behalf of BillWardLife, I’m writing this letter in support of the Sober Runway experience we had the opportunity to be part of last summer.
I was asked to take part in the event as the founder of BillWardLife, and what I experienced was something pretty special.
Sober Runway brought together people from all different walks of life and gave them an opportunity to shine, step outside of their comfort zones, and simply be themselves. We all came from different backgrounds and had different stories, but besides being human, we shared one thing in common: we knew the destruction that addiction can bring into our lives.
What Sober Runway did was take that common experience and turn it into something positive. It created connection and camaraderie between people who may have never crossed paths or spent time together otherwise. We encouraged one another, lifted each other up, and built a bond in a way that I don’t think any of us expected.
Through this experience, I’ve also had the opportunity to get to know the founder of Sober Runway, Suzzy, and I’ve seen her genuine passion for helping people heal. The kind of medicine that Suzzy and Sober Runway bring is rooted in love.
At BillWardLife, we believe deeply in the power of connection. Love is connection, connection to ourselves, connection to others, and connection to something bigger than ourselves. Recovery is not meant to happen alone, and experiences like Sober Runway remind people that they belong, that they matter, and that they deserve the opportunity to shine.
BillWardLife would absolutely take part in the Sober Runway experience again, in any way we can support. We’re grateful to have been part of it and look forward to seeing where it goes next.
Bill Ward
Sponsorship
Support Us by Becoming a Sponsor
Join us in turning recovery into a runway—become a Sober Runway sponsor today.
VIP Package
Presenting
Sponsor
$5000
- Prime logo placement on all event materials
- Exclusive press & media recognition
- 6 Event Passes including VIP Seating Extensive
- social media exposure with dedicated posts
Gold Sponsor
$2500
- Logo featured on all event materials
- Press & media recognition
- 4 Event Passes including VIP Seating
- Social media exposure with shout-outs
Silver Sponsor
$1000
- Logo featured on all event materials
- Verbal recognition at event
- 2 Event Passes including Preferred Seating
- Social media mentions
Bronze Sponsor
$500
- Logo featured on all event materials
- Verbal recognition at event
- 2 Event Passes including Preferred Seating
- Social media mentions
If you would like more information or wish to sponsor Sober Runway, please contact info@soberrunway.com.
Contact Us
For any information about participation, sponsorship or ticket purchase please contact us at the information below.