Lights Camera Fashion

Lights Camera Fashion 2019

by Terri L. White

The 9th Annual Lights Camera Fashion (LCF) fundraiser took over SouthPark Mall on Sunday, October 20 to much fanfare and celebration. Each year the Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC) hosts this event to raise money and increase awareness of the charitable work the JLC does in the Greater Charlotte area. Chair Victoria Olszowy and Vice-Chair Sara Gosse worked diligently with their committee members to create a great LCF experience for attendees, “We had such a strong committee this year,” said Olszowy. “Every woman brought a different skill set to the mix. They were really able to execute seamlessly many moving pieces, such as donations, internal and external communications, and logistics. In reality, putting on an event like this took a year to plan, and it’s almost like planning a wedding. We really were pleased with the outcome of the event, and luckily we didn’t run into too many issues,” she explained.

The spirit of fashion and fellowship was present and felt among all attendees. People of all backgrounds wore their favorite clothes and accessories, reflecting the myriad of styles and cultures represented by JLC membership and the communities we serve.

“Enjoying my first Lights, Camera, Fashion with my girls,” said JLC Provisional member, Alison Chandler.

LCF attendees were able to enjoy cheese, wine, desserts, and other small plates arranged around the runway in the South Park Mall’s luxury section. Additionally, a variety of retailers offered shopping discounts and gifts with purchases for all ticket holders.

“Treating ourselves to 40% off at J. Crew after volunteering at Lights Camera Fashion,” said beammed JLC Active member Britton Dowdy.

An online silent auction preceded the event. Supporters began bidding on items the day before Lights Camera Fashion. People could bid on items like Panthers tickets, a Yeti cooler, jewelry, cooking classes and much more! Bidding closed the night of the fashion show as people anxiously tried to outbid each other at the last minute. Raffle tickets for jewelry were sold before the show began. Everyone who bought a raffle ticket received a blinky ring that lit up to add to the fun of the event. The winner of the raffle received beautiful diamond earrings. VIP ticket holders enjoyed front row seats, as JLC leaders put on their best Naomi Campbell walk in fashions selected by SouthPark retailers, including Athleta, Ann Taylor, Dillard’s and more.

“We are thrilled once again, to be partnering with SouthPark Mall! They are amazing and we couldn’t execute this event without their help,” Olszowy declared. “Sara and I really took last year’s survey feedback to heart, and we hope everyone appreciated the changes we made to the event this year,” she continued.

Reflecting on why this event is so special and important, Olszowy stated, “Sara and I recognize what the JLC means to the community...we both love fashion and philanthropy, so being able to marry two passions of ours was one of the main reasons we decided to take on leadership of this event.”

Lights Camera Fashion is one of the JLC’s largest events, raising as much as $30,000 some years to support community partners. If you didn’t attend this year, you missed out on a great event with food, fashion, and fun for a purpose! The next Lights Camera Fashion will take place in fall of 2020. Keep up to date with JLC communications for announcements on a date.

Thank you to all of our sponsors that helped make Lights, Camera, Fashion! such a success!

•●Alex and Ani •●Athleta •●Aveda •●Bar Method •●Belk •●Brighton •●Brownlee Jewelers •●Burberry •●Burn Boot Camp •●Carolina Panthers •●Charlotte Youth Ballet •●Club Fetch •●Cyclebar •●DJ America •●Eleanor Kath Photography •●Fabletics •●Gap •●Get Minimized •●J. Crew •●Jack Rogers •●Johnny Was •●Kate Spade •●Kendra Scott •●L’occitane •●Madewell •●Medi Spa •●Michael Kors •●Mignonne Gavigan •●Moon and Lola •●Orangetheory •●Penny Preville •●Reebok Crossfit Uptown •●Reid’s Fine Food •●Restore Hyper Wellness & Cyrotherapy •●Salud! •●Scott Brown Media Group •●Scoop Charlotte •●SouthPark Mall •●Suzanne Libfraind •●The Poppy Shop •●TopGolf •●Toska Spa •●Total Wine •●Treehouse Vineyards •●Trina Turk •●Twine and Twig •●UnTuckit •●Vera Bradley •●Yoga One