A charity fashion show to support St. Albert Seniors Association is back for a third year.
The Season of Style: Spring and Summer Fashion Show on Saturday, April 12 assists the seniors association provide a broad variety of activities and programs at a reasonable cost to members.
Some of the activities include arts, crafts, woodworking, information sessions, fitness, pickleball, dancing, yoga, tai chi, Pilates, aerobics, card games, guitar and gardening.
“The mandate of the seniors association is to prevent isolation," said Sue Hobson, fashion show chair. "All our fundraisers go to maintaining services; it’s what we do. That way even if seniors can’t afford programs, they can come down for coffee. Lack of income doesn’t prevent them from joining. Through our social worker, we can put them in touch with Meals on Wheels or we have a bus that can take them to doctor’s appointments. A lot goes on behind the scenes.”
Eight models, ages 29 to 81 with a variety of body types, will strut the runway wearing outfits from local clothing stores. Their mission is to showcase clothing that inspires women to look and feel beautiful whether they’re going for quick grocery pickup or a night on the town.
Flash Fashion introduces the latest in elegant evening attire while Cloud Nine features sexy pyjamas and relaxing lounge wear. Ennoja also sells loose-fitting lounge wear, but with an emphasis on comfort.
Northern Reflections crisp tops, bottoms, jackets or sweatshirts tend to feature bright colours and clean lines. Instead, Who Cares? Wear prides itself on selling stylish balanced ensembles that ooze a trend-setting vibe.
And Suzanne’s Fashion is seasonal favourite, racking up threads ranging from tops, bottoms, and jackets to shorts, bathing suits and midi-dresses in extra small sizes to double extra-large.
Goodwill, appearing for the first time, takes to the catwalk showcasing its gently used clothing and accessories.
Prior to the fashion show, Chef Richard Macafpac, who trained in Europe, London and Dubai, is creating a scintillating three-course culinary extravaganza.
“It will be gluten free. We want it to be a surprise, but if you have any dietary restrictions, please inform the kitchen,” said Kerri Akins, marketing.
In addition to dinner and the runway show, the fundraiser will offer a cash bar, 50/50 draw, door prizes, raffle draws, a silent auction and a live auction. Once again, former mayor Nolan Crouse is stepping up as auctioneer.
“Nolan is so much fun. He energizes the participants,” said Akins.
Some of the auction items displayed are a limousine package, a wills package, a one-hour curling lesson for eight, artwork and jewelry. There are also gift certificates to salons, boutiques, stores, massage clinics, restaurants and acupuncture treatments to name a few.
Throughout the evening, Rose Mellor, a church pianist at Braeside Presbyterian Church, will perform during the cocktail hour.
In 2024, the association’s spring fashion show garnered close to $15,000.
While the association supports eight to 10 staff, it also counts on donated hours from several hundred volunteers to keep the facility operational.
“It’s important to support the centre," Hobson said. "If it is not supported, it won’t be there.”
The fashion show is on Saturday, April 12 at Red Willow Place, 7 Tache St. Doors open at 5 p.m., dinner is at 6 p.m. and the fashion show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $60 each or tables of eight are $480. To reserve, call 780-459-0433.
