Twelve-year-old Briona has an eye for fashion and a heart of compassion – and she used both when the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Georgia and Alabama granted her wish to design a line of dresses and auction them off to fund the wishes of other local wish kids.

When choosing her wish, Briona, who was diagnosed with a life-threatening heart condition, toyed with asking for a trip. In the end, however, she decided she wanted something that would have a more lasting effect – something that would benefit other children waiting for their wishes. Whether dressing up her dolls or her little sister, Briona always had a passion for fashion, so she decided designing dresses that could be auctioned in a fashion show would be just the thing to fulfill her fantasy and help other children on the wish waiting list.

Briona’s road to the runway started at The English Design Lab, where she met one-on-one with a design teacher who helped give her ideas that professional touch. Briona learned the art of design, perfected her drawing skills and experimented with many fun and elegant fabrics. After her lessons, Briona chose her 12 favorite creations – including one she designed especially for herself. Then seamstresses from the American Sewing Guild went to work

Briona debuted her line, Eyes on You Fashion by Briona, in a fashion show at the Make-A-Wish^® chapter’s 10-year anniversary gala. Professional models donned six of Briona’s dresses, and all six were purchased by a local man who kept one for his wife and gave the others back to Briona. Briona herself graced the runway wearing two gowns – the powder blue flowing formal she designed, and a pink, rose-covered satin dress that bridal-wear designer Anne Barge created especially for her.

Fabrik, a boutique in Briona’s hometown, got word of Briona’s stunning clothing line and offered to host a second fashion show starring models from the Elite Modeling Agency. The second show was as successful as the first, and “Eyes on You Fashion by Briona” auctioned off four more original creations. The proceeds from the two fashion shows totaled over $6,000 – more than the cost of the average wish.

Everyone involved thinks Eyes on You Fashion by Briona might someday be seen gracing red carpets and hanging in posh boutique windows. And even now, there’s no question that Briona’s wish has made her a shining star – both on and off the runway.