The Cole County Historical Society, CCHS, presented its third annual fashion show/fundraiser luncheon Monday at the Jefferson City Country Club.
The sold-out event billed as "Gals & Dolls" drew a crowd of 220, and the ticket sales and silent auction generated more than $8,000, a portion of which will be used in the preservation of the First Lady's inaugural gown collection in the CCHS Museum.
"We handle our collection with white gloves, and we feel it's an important addition to our little Smithsonian," said Susie Barret, director of the fashion show committee.
Once again this year, Saffees provided all of the fashions and accessories, which were modeled tableside by local women. A mix of casual and dressy selections, the clothes reflected the trends for spring and summer. Super Hair's Donna Smith, Joy Bax, Alyssa Thoenen and Nicole Means provided hair and makeup for the models, and some wore American Shoe footwear.
"Soft feminine looks that aren't structured are very popular this year," said Judy Howard, the third-generation owner of Saffees. "We featured bold, bright colors, print bottoms, long skirts and the contrast of black and white that's in the show."
CCHS President Kathy Wilbers' daughter-in-law, Laura, greeted all the attendees as they entered the country club, a la Vanna White the hostess on Wheel of Fortune fame.
Also on display were 250 dolls from Wanda and Russell McCampbell's private collection, including Princess Diana, Rhett Butler, Shirley Temple, Elizabeth Taylor and Gold and Red label Barbie Dolls and others circa 1880 made in Germany.
Handled with white gloves, the inaugural gowns are kept in a temperature-controlled, cool, dry room. The different gowns, which include those worn by Carolyn Bond, Melanie Blunt, Jean Carnahan and Geraldine Dalton are rotated in the DeLong Room of the museum.