Throwback fashion
Unique fundraiser for St. Joseph Church and Club Social des Iles on Surette’s Island
A vintage fashion show is planned both as a fundraiser and to celebration Canada 150.
This event has style. Combine a passionate committee and a community that’s willing to dig deep into their closets and pockets, with an appreciation for vintage fashions, and what do you get?
The Remember When Vintage Fashion Show answers all of the above, in addition to serving as a celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday.
The event will take place Saturday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 17, at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., at Club Social des Iles on Surette’s Island.
The shows are fundraisers for the club and St. Joseph Church and incorporate stories and fashions reminiscent of “timeless memories.”
A similar show featuring bridal fashions was held in 2014. It tied in with the opening of the new Indian Sluice Bridge and proved to be such a hit, there was a clamour for a repeat. Even the loss of power from the passage of tropical storm Arthur couldn’t stop the show.
Committee member Patsy Surette says the stories presented during the event made people laugh, cry and remember happy times in their families’ lives.
“People asked if we could do it again, however, it was impossible to get all these busy individuals together again,” she said. But she didn’t let go of the idea. “I knew that at some point, I would gather these committee members again and would be doing something like this again and here we are once again three years later.”
This year’s show will also be upbeat with a few entertaining surprises, she says.
Fashions from the 1870s to the 1970s will be highlighted.
During preparations for the 2014 show, the models often found dress rehearsals an interesting experience. Two sisters were able to wear their paternal/ maternal grandmothers’ dresses along with their mothers’ and many of their aunts’ dresses. “For the models, this was sentimental and also a privilege to wear these dresses. It made it more personal and touching,” said Surette.
A 1924 wedding dress with a going-away outfit was donated from a lady in Plymouth.
Models commented on how petite many of the older dresses were, as some required some squeezing to fit. There were no fast-food outlets in those days.
“The dresses were also very prickly as there was lots of stiff lace and crinoline and they could not imagine wearing that all day,” said Surette.
“The outfits are all amazing and when you add the accessories, you would swear you are looking at a person that is coming right out of that era.”