On Saturday, June 30, Strawbery Banke Museum will host the "Passion For Fashion Gala." The event, which supports the museum's education programs and preservation efforts, will take place under a tent on the museum's grounds at 14 Hancock Street in Portsmouth, beginning at 6 p.m. The Gala is being held in conjunction with the museum's exhibit, "Thread: Stories of Fashion at Strawbery Banke, 1740-2012."
Renowned fashion designer and television star, Austin Scarlett ("Project Runway: All-Stars" and Lifetime's "On the Road with Austin and Santino"), serves as the evening's emcee. Museum patrons, Lawrence A. Larose and Janet Y. Larose, who co-curated the exhibit with museum curator Elizabeth Farish, and conceptualized the event, serve as co-chairs.
The Passion For Fashion Gala, includes an elegant champagne reception and celebrity designers runway show, followed by a limited availability VIP dinner.
The Gala was inspired by Strawbery Banke Museum's extraordinary collection of men's, women's and children's fashion dating from the 1740 through the 1954. The Celebrity Designers Runway Show showcases a number of cutting-edge and contemporary designs by nineteen extraordinary 21st century fashion designers represented in the Thread exhibit, paying homage to the diversity of the unique pieces contained in the museum's collection. Designers participating in the exhibit and the celebrity designers runway show include: Austin Scarlett, Epperson, Emily Muller, Carter Smith, Emma Hope, Philip Treacy, Katerina Lankova and Chesley McLaren and local designers including Robin Bettencourt, Sarah Beth Johnson, Sarah Koski, Bridget Bleckmann, Erana and Leah Kirk. The designers were inspired to use the historic collection as their creative force in the execution of their fashion forward garments.
The Passion For Fashion Gala promises to be an elegant and unforgettable evening and the highlight of the summer season for all those who attend. Guests are encouraged to wear "festive dress" (black tie optional).
For more information on the Gala or to purchase tickets, please visit Strawbery Banke Museum's website: www.strawberybanke.org/tickets. Guests may purchase tickets for the champagne reception and celebrity designers runway show or for the full Passion For Fashion Gala with preferred admission to the champagne reception and celebrity designers runway show and a place at the VIP dinner.
In addition, a raffle to benefit Strawbery Banke offers a one in 200 chance of winning a package to attend New York Fashion Week 2012, including a wardrobe styling and image consultation provided by Amy McLaughlin Lifestyles (value $500), roundtrip airport transportation via Green Rides USA (value $220), Delta Airlines gift card (value $300), gift card for luxury accommodations in Manhattan ($800), dinner for two at Alfredo's in Manhattan (value $300) and two tickets for New York Fashion Week 2012 to view the Spring Collection 2013 by Marchesa (value "priceless"). Raffle tickets are also available on Strawbery Banke's website: www.strawberybanke.org, and the holder need not attend the Gala to win. (courtesy photo)
