Mathews-Dickey Sheer Elegance NO.21 Generates
$136,000 for Girls' Programs
Thanks to the St. Louis community, Mathews-Dickey’s Sheer Elegance Fashion Show fund-raiser
celebrated its 21st birthday, growing into adulthood and raising
$136,000 for the Girls’ Program.
One-thousand fashion enthusiasts trekked in from across the United States on December 19 to
enjoy “the most stylish show on earth” in the packed Khorassan Ballroom of the Chase Park Plaza.
In a soulful twist to the spirit of Cirque du Soleil, “The Soul’e of Fashions” started off with stilt walkers, the St. Louis Rams cheerleaders,
a roving magician and face-painter.
Guests were treated to the sounds of the Gateway Jazz Quartet and Pianist Tim Huskey of Collage,
as they partook in mouth-watering cuisine and delectable desserts.
Event chair Bonita Cornute, reporter, KTVI Fox 2,
provided opening remarks during the Solar Reception and
announced an exciting array of door prizes to close the show.
As event co-emcees and honorary chairs, Wendy Wiese,
co-host of KETC-TV, Channel 9’s “Donnybrook,” and Christine Buck,
special reporter, CW 11, KPLR-TV, kept the audience entertained and informed.
Thirteen Girls’ Program Honorees,
attired in elegant dresses by XoXo, were accompanied by
an impressive team of celebrity escorts down the runway
to open
the show.
Recognized for their outstanding academic achievements and community service, the youth also performed a dance,
choreographed by Best Talent Center’s Judy Best-Person,
as the grand finale.
The 2009 honorees were Andrea Bailey, 13;
Ashley Brown, 17; Jasmine Bunche, 15; Deidre Estes, 16;
Brianna Grayson, 16; Raven Harris, 16; Alexandria Henson, 17; Amiah Macon, 16;
Zakiyyah Marshall, 18; Imani Myton, 16; Nakia Robinson, 17;
Blair Thomas, 16; and Jocelynn Wolfe, 14.
“‘The Soul’e of Fashions’ inspired and rejuvenated our young women,
exposing their inner and outer beauty,”
said the show’s originator and Mathews-Dickey
Vice President of Public Relations & Special Events Barbara A. Washington. “Our goal is to give young women the training and opportunities to follow their passions in life and realize their dreams.”
The fashionable entertainment extravaganza spotlighted Brown Shoe’s Santana line,
along with apparel by XoXo, Lee J’s, Sydney’s Closet, event co-chair and
Fox Theatre Owner Mary Strauss’ vintage collection and “Project Runway”
Competitor Qristyl Frazier — who made the trek in from New York.
Music revolved around the combined sun and circus themes,
representing a variety of genres and decades.
The audience was wowed by the mimes, jugglers and
stilt walkers from Circus Harmony, along with a breathtaking aerial silk routine by Sasha Nevidonski of Circus Flora.
MADCO’s Chimera dancers brought on the masquerade led of 15 youth Soul’e Dolls.
The Sheer Elegance Award was presented to
three leaders for their civic and community contributions
during the American Family Insurance Solar Reception:
Anna Harris, community volunteer; Steve O’Loughlin, vice president, LHM; and
Roy Williams, owner/operator, McDonald’s.
Major sponsors were American Family Insurance, Anheuser-Busch, Inc.,
BJC HealthCare, Joan Callis, Engelhardt Family Foundation, John and Alison Nichols Ferring, Macy’s,
The Monsanto Fund, Nestle’ Purina PetCare and the Saigh Foundation.
The Girls’ Program provides educational, social, cultural, and
sports programs for 10,000 young women annually.
For more information, contact Barbara Washington or Bill Fronczak at (314) 382-5952, ext. 234.
18 pictures from the events here
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