Izzy Maternity wants to raise $1,000 or more before the holidays

Izzy Maternity wants to raise $1,000 or more before the holidays for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s
Team in Training program by giving a fashion show with a unique spin: all the models are current
customers.

“This is our third event to raise money for this organization,” said Hannah Vahaba, manager of Izzy
Maternity’s Buckhead location in Peachtree Battle Promenade. “It helps cure cancer and helps new
moms stay healthy because they train people for marathons.”

Participants in the program receive personal fitness training and are shown how to raise funds for
leukemia and lymphoma as they run marathons.

More than 100 people are expected to attend the event at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Izzy Maternity’s North
Point Village store in Alpharetta. 

Besides a fashion show and live DJ, several businesses are donating about 30 raffle items such as a
Mutsy stroller, Falcons and Georgia Aquarium tickets, designer baby items and gift certificates. 

About 20 customers will put on a maternity fashion show.

“We specialize in hard-to-find sizes that fit unique body shapes,” said Ms. Vahaba. “So we want to show
how great real customers can look this holiday season.”

One customer and model, Dunwoody resident Brooke Gray, said Ms. Vahaba asked her to model after
she bought some maternity clothes at the Buckhead store.

“It sounds like fun,” said Ms. Gray, who is expecting a boy March 4. “Sometimes you don’t feel as if you
look so great [being pregnant], so it’ll be fun to have my hair and makeup done and dress up.”

Izzy Maternity was started by Israel Vahaba, Hannah’s father, in 1985. The upscale maternity store
moved from Perimeter Mall to North Point Mall 12 years ago and opened the Buckhead store in March. 

Izzy’s customer base turns over completely every six months. “So, relationships must be rebuilt,” said Ms. Vahaba. “A large percentage of our customers are repeat
clients, so word of mouth is imperative.”

For the future, Izzy Maternity will be beefing up its e-commerce site, www.izzymaternityclothes.com, for
more online shopping.

“My father and I are hoping to manufacture our own maternity line someday soon,” said Ms. Vahaba.

Information: (404) 949-0222 (Buckhead store) or (770) 753-0204 (Alpharetta store).