It is the old age coming into the new age.
This statement from Judy Howard, owner of Saffees, exemplifies many of the trends seen in the first runway-style Cole County Historical Society's Fashion Show and Luncheon on May 8 at Capitol Plaza Hotel and Convention Center.
The stunning garments - all from Saffees and showcased by 22 models - delivered renewed takes on classic fashions and updated throwbacks utilizing popular new trends.
"The timeless elegance theme was really for the teapots (with 21 antique teapot sets included in the event's silent and live auctions this year). Then, on the fashion side, it exploded into lace, sequins and embroidery," said Howard, who coordinated the fashion show along with her daughter Michelle Hataway.
Sequins opened and closed the show, with returning models Theresa Ferguson and Mayor Carrie Tergin's formal gowns. Ferguson strutted down the runway to open the show in her Terani Couture long evening gown, which had sparkling sequins cascading down the silver dress's slim-fitting bodice before the dress flowed into a trumpet shape at the bottom of its skirt. Tergin beamed in an Adrianna Pappell sequin-embellished floor-length dress to close the show. Mary Jane Luebbering, of Luebbering Oil Company, dazzled with a Frank Lyman dress. The shimmering gold, angled lines gave the chic black garment a stunning elegance.
Lace was a big star at the event in evening and casual wear, as well as in seasonal dresses. Roni Flood was ready for an elegant evening in an Emma Street silver-blue lace empire waist floor-length dress with rhinestones, complemented by a Mariana earrings, necklace and bracelet set.
Heather Pirner, with the News Tribune, showcased a Cupcakes and Cashmere soft pink dress with a lace overlay, ideal for an afternoon tea or summer wedding, accessorized with a pink cut rhinestone necklace with matching earrings. Christina Busch, of Jefferson Bank, wore a traditional black lace overlay paired perfectly on a trendy BB Dakota off-the-shoulder romper on the runway. Long, gold wire earrings with diamond-shaped rhinestones and a gold bracelet with a large diamond-like stone beautifully completed Busch's outfit.
With '70s and '80s styles making a big comeback in today's fashion, the more than 200 guests in attendance saw many trendy updates, including Kut boyfriend light-wash stressed jeans coupled with a BB Dakota lace-trimmed white top and a green pineapple jacket, which were modeled by Jennifer Schnieders, of Outbound Physical Therapy & Rehab. Howard said the bomber jackets of the '70s, typically embroidered then with Oriental designs, are now re-emerging with floral embroidery on the same silky material. Mikayla Moore showcased one such eye-catching ensemble, complete with a Love + Harmony black floral embroidered jacket, Karen Kane jeans with embroidered cream flowers and a BB Dakota off-white tie-up top.
"Everything embroidered is popular right now. Flowers in embroidery is where the trends are," Howard said.
Trish Brohn had all eyes on her beautiful Karen Kane off-the-shoulder black top with multi-colored embroidery and hip new Frank Lyman skirt leggings, which were accentuated with a Mariana jewelry matching necklace, earrings and bracelet set and Vince Camuto black shoes.
"Trish had that beautifully embroidered off-the-shoulder top, with not just one but all colors going through it. It was like the piece of yarn, if you pulled it, would have all the colors of the rainbow," Howard said. "She also had on a new piece, which is a hot, new trend. It is leggings with a skirt connected so the one piece has both elements to it. That is a neat, functional thing for leggings, because it covers up and dresses it up."
"They are super comfortable," Busch said about her leggings, noting about her embroidered top, "The detailing is gorgeous. Everybody just loved it and wanted to touch it."
Jennifer Tergin, of Jefferson Bank, modeled an elegant, simple Katherine Barclay black dress with a bell sleeve, which she described as a throwback to Audrey Hepburn's style while visiting with guests following her outfit's runway debut.
"That was a new piece, and the bell sleeve is a new trend," Howard said. "All the action is on the sleeves and shoulders right now."
Bright colors are also drawing attention this year, such as Christa Roehl's Karen Kane coral and blue paisley fit-and-flare dress matched with a Liverpool Dark Americana denim jacket, and Bernadette Miller's lightweight Katherine Barclay orange dress with a cape back.
"It is not a full cape but is covered in the front then drapes in the back," Howard said. "It is the perfect street length dress, and the color is just beautiful."
The fashion show and luncheon raised about $12,000 for the Cole County Historical Society this year, drawing in more than 200 guests. Proceeds will go toward maintenance and operations of the society's museum facility.