Our Fashion Show

March 23, 2012. This afternoon ten of us residents of the Independent Living facility went to the chapel to dress for a "fashion show". A rack of borrowed formal wear was brought in for us to wear, or we could wear our own items. Ms. Rice, down the hall, let me borrow two of her beaded sweaters for which we gave her credit and won a prize. The other prizes went to a tall striking blond and another from third floor who wore a black bathing suit with black hose under her fur coat. It was the biggest hit, as she danced in it like a soubrette! These two, plus me won the most applause. Next year I shall paint on cups "Most Appreciated" so that all the volunteers can receive a trophy. I spent some time writing up the script for three costumes. I gave the scripts to the coordinator but she did not present them to the announcer. Expecting that, I carried extra scripts to present to the announcer as I entered. I hope this was a help to the audience, too. For my new suit I wrote:
The fashion galleries on the third floor Ha Ha!!
present the newest style which zips and buttons faultlessly (I hope).
This is a REPLACEMENT item, that is to say, is intended to
REPLACE my favorite blue evening suit that I could NOT zip or button!. It is bright blue rayon satin worn in the cooler evenings with a mink vest. ( Vest comes off) The vest was made from a mink stole dating 1966. The buttons are classic filigree. (show buttons)
This costume was created from a Burda pattern by SEW MUCH salon on Benson Street in Reading. The Burda family actually bought, in Germany, an ancestral home of my Dad's family, which they renovated into a weekend company retreat!
To make the suit presentable for daytime wear, a nice fluted scarf (show) is wrapped around the neck and covers the buttons.
For daytime, instead of gold or glass ear rings, enameled blue earrings are worn. Purse, hat or gloves may be co-coordinated perhaps repeating the colors in the scarf. EXIT

The project could have used help with hair, make-up and selection in the dressing-room. A mirror would help, too. Our coordinator did a great job doing all of that and taking movies, too. At the end, she had hurting feet and was padding around in house slippers. The event was moved to afternoons to eliminate parking problems, but then few relatives were here to help. pictures later!