Erez in Englewood held a fashion show Sept. 30, not just to offer a peek into spring and fall styles, but to better the community.

The show was a joint effort with Jumping Frog Foundation — a non-profit committed to supporting the health and wellness of families touched by autism.

Erez owner Amy Klein said there is a fashion show two times a year with different socially oriented themes.

This year, considering the economy, she planned "Fashion for a Cause."

"With the feeling in the air this year, we really wanted to give back," said Klein. "The founder of Jumping Frog, Jessica [Spillane], is my Pilates teacher. I love her energy, I know her child had autism and I thought it would be a really good joint effort. We are fortunate to be standing during these hard times and able to give back."

The show pulled women from Ridgefield to Englewood, enjoying their blueberry martinis and healthy snacks waiting for the runway lights to shine.

As the dramatic "Phantom of the Opera" soundtrack set the backdrop, young models lined the runway to display Erez's signature seasonal styles.

The first set showcased the little black dress. Onlookers saw lack detail, the trendy off-the-shoulder and rhinestone accents to the must-have piece for every woman.

Other styles that frequented the runway included the ubiquitous leather leggings, exaggerated shoulder jackets and plenty of dresses. Purple was all over, as well as zipper detailing and accessories galore.

Spillane was inspired to create Jumping Frog Foundation a year ago when her 2-year-old son Jack was diagnosed with autism.

"We are still a very new organization and this show is helping propel us forward," said Spillane. "We are trying to help families feel better about themselves. We especially want to help mothers who often feel isolated out on an island."

Jumping Frog helps these families in a variety of ways. It can be a cooking class that helps moms learn the autistic diet, it can work to offset costs of a therapy gym or maybe it is just a massage for the mom to help her relax.

"Words don't prepare you for the new normal," said Spillane.

E-mail: donofrio@northjersey.com or call 201-894-6705