Jefferson City area women modeling this season's fashions were the stars of the Cole County Historical Society's fashion show Monday - but so were women like Carolyn Bond, Lori Holden and Margaret Stephens, Missouri first ladies whose preserved inaugural gowns were on display at the event.
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The Cole County Historical Society's (CCHS) fourth annual fashion show, luncheon and fundraiser, with the theme of "Missouri Elegance," treated a sold-out crowd of more than 200 at Jefferson City Country Club to a look at this spring and summer's fashion trends, as well as a rare chance to view historic garments worn by Missouri governors' wives. Featured first ladies were Carolyn Reid Bond, wife of Gov. Christopher "Kit" Bond; Geraldine "Jerry" Hall Dalton, wife of Gov. John Montgomery Dalton; Lori Hauser Holden, wife of Gov. Robert "Bob" Holden; Margaret "Maggie" Nelson Stephens, wife of Gov. Lawrence "Lon" Vest Stephens; Jeanette Vosburgh Gardner, wife of Gov. Frederick Dozier Gardner; and Nelle Tuckley Baker, wife of Gov. Samuel Aaron Baker.
The fashion show, accompanied by a silent auction, raises money for the historical society, which preserves the first ladies' inaugural gowns in its museum. It had a fundraising goal of $10,000 this year. That money goes toward things like air-conditioning repairs in the 150-year CCHS building, which is necessary to maintain safe temperatures for the preserved dresses. The gowns require special care and are rarely moved off the CCHS museum's premises.
"This is really a historic event," said Susie Barrett, who has been director of the fashion show committee for all of the event's four years.
The preserved gowns typically are moved once every six months when the historical society rotates its displays. Carting the gowns off site to the Jefferson City Country Club required transporting them in special storage boxes, wrapped in acid-free tissue paper.
Modern clothing also drew attention at the fashion show. Longtime Jefferson City retailer Saffees again provided the models' clothing and accessories selected by the store's staff to reflect this season's trends, and each attendee had a chance for an up-close look as models wove their way between the tables.
"We kind of tried to fall back on whatever was popular in the '70s and '80s since that's what's popular again this season," said Saffees owner Judy Howard, noting pieces like patterned palazzo pants and soft, less-structured items have made a comeback. "Lace is huge - lots of lace and fringe. It kind of creates a very soft, romantic, free-spirited look."
Other trends Howard noted include fit-and-flare tops and shirts with various adornments on the back rather than the front.
Models included Kailey Bock, Trish Braun, Kathryn Canada, Theresa Ferguson, Joan Firley, Donna Kay Nicklas, Bernadette Miller, Linda Samson and Jefferson City Mayor Carrie Tergin.
The event also featured the first ladies' portraits as well as historic centerpieces, such as silver dishware from the Missouri first ladies' collection and bronze statues from Price Mansion.
The special - and valuable - additions to this year's fashion show brought new twists to the preparation and a lot of hard work for the committee.
"The gowns and the portraits were brought in during the pouring-down rain," Barrett said, noting the historic pieces had to be stored securely overnight at the venue and returned to the CCHS museum following the event.