Local charity fashion show continues despite suspension of Ebony shows

Blending music, entertainment and fashion, the 2010 Runway Extravaganza will be a new concept for the charity fashion show that has been going on in Dothan for more than 30 years.

“It’s going to have more of a local flavor in addition to the incorporation of entertainment and runway fashions,” said Linda Garrett of the Kappa Pi Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. “It’s not going to be the couture that people have come to appreciate.”

This year’s show is set for Feb. 13.

The annual fashion show, which raises money for the sorority’s scholarship programs, has always featured models and couture fashions through Ebony Fashion Fair. But the traveling Ebony fashion shows, which have raised $55 million for charities over the years, were suspended last fall due to the recession. Then, Ebony suspended the 2010 spring shows after founder Eunice Johnson died last month.

As the company restructures the fashion fair, members of the local Alpha Kappa Alpha chapter felt they needed to move forward with the annual fundraiser.

They decided to work with Tallahassee, Fla., producer Tony Barnes, a native of Dothan, and the Images Modeling Troupe from Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Fla. The troupe is made up of students from the college’s clothing and design department.

The Runway Extravaganza show will also feature a dance troupe from Florida A&M called House Arrest 2 and Kyle Washington of the BET “College Hill” reality television show. As always, the show will include door prizes such as gift certificates and a washer and dryer combo.

Fashions to be featured in the show will be clothing available at department stores like Dillard’s, Garrett said.

“We would just like to encourage the public to keep supporting this event,” Garrett said. “They will not be disappointed with the new concept.”
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If you go ...
What: Runway Extravaganza 2010
When: Saturday, Feb. 13, 6 p.m.
Where: Dothan Convention Center, 4106 Ross Clark Circle N., Dothan
Tickets: $25 each; available at the convention center or from any Kappa Pi Omega member
Info: 712-9808