Fashion show raises money for Longboat Island Chapel

Spring is blooming at the Longboat Island Chapel, and on March 7 the Chapel hosted its annual “garden party” themed fashion show. 

All proceeds from the event went to the church. 

Event co-chair Karen Pashkow said that the theme has been “garden party” for the last few years. Everyone comes with their best spring dresses, hats and fascinator head pieces. 

Pashkow has been working on this event since the holiday season. She said models can only be in the fashion show once so she asks different people every year to do it. 

“If someone is a regular at the Lord’s Warehouse or they are a new member of the church, I will ask them to be a model,” said Pashkow. “This event is just a whole thing in itself. There is so much that goes into it but it always ties together nicely in the end."

Guests arrived at 11 a.m. through the church doors. Walking down the church aisle, people could participate in raffles and a silent auction. People were then escorted to their tables by a volunteer waiter who is a member of the church. A chicken salad lunch made by Chef David Stone was served.

Event co-chair Lesley Rife was the commentator for the fashion show of 10 models. Pashkow also picked out a secret model whose identity was a mystery to everyone except her. All outfits were from the Lord’s Warehouse and were available for purchase.

Each of the models came in to the Lord's Warehouse a couple weeks before the show to choose outfits. They received help from model managers Dia Wilson and June Hessel. On the day of the show, models got their hair done by Design 2000 Salon and Mary Kay. 

"The only time I really get to see these ladies are at church on Sundays," said model Janine Wile. "So this gave us the opportunity to bond and get closer. This is just a wonderful group of women and such a fun event."