An upcoming women’s fashion show is about more than just showcasing leggings and flowing tunics that are all the rage this spring.
Naramata Bench Clothing Co. owner Lori Czerwinski is using her spring fashion show at The George on June 8 to not only display up to 50 outfits from her store’s Canadian-made clothing lines, but to celebrate women in business and bring them together under one roof. In fact, those selected to model her clothing happen to be businesswomen in Black Diamond, Turner Valley and Okotoks.
“It’s a celebration of women in business and art in our local area,” said Czerwinski.
“It lets people know who the prominent women in business are in our community.”
Czerwinski held the fashion show at The Stop Coffee House and Gathering Place in Black Diamond on May 26, and is hosting another this weekend to bring it to Okotoks for the first time. She organized fashion shows in Black Diamond last spring and fall.
“I think people in Okotoks would be interested because we do get a lot of clients from Okotoks and we are getting a large circle of women from Okotoks getting to know our store,” she said.
“They can learn about the businesses that are just down the highway from them in Black Diamond and some of our services. We offer some unique things in terms of business.”
Czerwinski partnered with Black Diamond’s Bluerock Gallery for the event and is featuring a selection of the gallery’s accessories, including shawls and jewelry.
“My clothes are Canadian-made and the Bluerock Gallery is even more local than that,” she said, adding the gallery sells items made within 100 miles of Black Diamond.
“We try to promote local businesses and shopping locally and that whole philosophy.”
The format of the fashion show is anything but formal.
Czerwinski said the models walk throughout the audience allowing people to get a close look at the clothing and accessories.
“It’s very interactive,” she said.
“The models go up to the tables and let the women feel the clothing. It’s very casual.”
Those in attendance receive complementary wine, food and 15 per cent off merchandise.
Door prizes from local businesses will also be given out.
“Women really enjoy going out for a glass of wine with other women and just relaxing and looking at new clothing, and the fact that it’s Canadian they seem to like that,” Czerwinski said.
“They also like the fact that they know the models.”
One of the models is Bev Geier, president of the Diamond Valley Chamber of Commerce and owner of Nature Arranged Floral Boutique in Black Diamond.
Although Geier didn’t model at the Black Diamond event last week, she was part of the audience and found the environment very intimate.
“The women get into it and they start asking questions from the floor,” she said.
“Being small it’s that much more intimate. You can see the face that goes with the business.”
Geier said the fashion show’s setting allows people to connect and learn about other businesses in the area.
“It makes the world a little bit smaller because we are all working together,” she said.
The spring fashion show takes place at The George in Okotoks on June 8 at 1:30 p.m.
Tickets to attend cost $20 and can be purchased at Naramata Bench Clothing Co. and the Bluerock Gallery in Black Diamond.
For more information about the spring fashion show go to www.nbclothing.ca