Louise Goulet, Chairperson this year's Rotary Fashion show checks of a list of details in preparation for the big event. Story and photo by Chris Thibeault
The Rotary Club of North Bay is springing into action as they get set to host their April fashion show.
New this year is a mannequin art competition and Louise Goulet, Chairperson says that this is the second year of the fashion show and promises the show will be ‘more of an event’ than just a display of clothing.
“This year, we’ve given six local high school art departments a bare mannequin,” Goulet said. “And they are going to use that as the basis for an art piece. So, they can do whatever they want to the mannequin. Whatever inspiration they have, or whatever theme they have, they will take the mannequins and turn them into an art piece,”
The Rotary Club of North Bay - Nipissing is a local charitable organization and the annual Spring Fashion Show is held annually to raise money to help deliver local projects.
“We do a lot of things with youth. We contribute quite heavily through the hospital and One Kid’s Place. We do things for elderly people and high school students. It changes every year,” Goulet said.
This year, the proceeds will go to the North Bay Robotics Club, Rotary’s global division, Rotary International Foundation and as mentioned local club projects.
Goulet says the bringing in an art competition to the April 10th show at the Best Western adds several elements not offered before.
“We are taking over the entire ground floor of the hotel. The fashion show part is in the ballroom, and the ballroom will be completely decorated in white. Then, the other ballroom is being used for a lounge, or ‘club’. So, there will be a bar in there, and that is where the mannequins will be displayed.”
“And then, we have another room will be used for the silent auction,” she added.
Goulet says the art competition is a ‘surprise bonus’, but the focus remains on the fashion show. The first part of the show will feature clothing from local businesses; Lefevre Source for Adventure, Zack’s Fashion Outlet, and the Diva Den. The second part of the show will then feature local clothing designers.
“Last year, we only had two local (designers). This year, we are going to have three, and they are actually creating a line of clothes just for this particular show,” Goulet said.
“The week prior to the show, a number of the shops on Main Street are going to take the mannequins and put them in their front window,” Goulet added, enthusiastically referring back to the mannequins.
The mannequin competition will be judged and a first prize of $500 to be used for art supplies will be awarded to the winner. As well, the art pieces and clothing will be sold through a silent auction that takes place throughout the night.
Goulet expects this year’s event to sell out, much like last year’s event.
“The reason I know it’s going to be sold out this year is because the word is out that it was so much fun last year.”
Tickets for the April 10th fashion show are $35 each and are available at the Best Western Hotel on Lakeshore Drive, or by calling Tara Young at 474-5805 ext: 705.
Cocktails start at 6:00 p.m. The fashion show starts at 7:00 p.m.
