A Night of Fashion and Philanthropy The Spring Fashion Show: Silhouette

By: Angie Haering

On the evening of April 1, 2023, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center was transformed into a glamorous runway for the highly anticipated Junior League of Cincinnati’s Spring Fashion Show: Silhouette. This year, the Spring Fundraiser Committee, chaired by Erin Lee and vice-chaired by Christina Yardley, collaborated with the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEI&B) committee to emphasize the importance of supporting local businesses at the heart of social justice education. The fashion show featured members donning clothes from businesses that represented a variety of backgrounds, reflecting Cincinnati’s diverse community. This iconic venue, which was recently voted the #1 History Museum in the Nation by USA Today, was chosen not only for its stunning architecture, but also as a way to support a fellow non-profit organization, and to introduce members and guests to a local treasure that honors the legacy of freedom and social justice.

Three-hundred guests were treated to a champagne toast courtesy of Trilogy Fitness Systems, delectable appetizers and desserts by Elegant Fare, and an open bar with select wines and beer. The enchanted runway show, emceed by WLWT’s Meredith Stutz and featuring music by DJ BlacknMyles, showcased the latest looks for women, men, and children from Cincinnati’s finest boutiques.

The Junior League’s signature spring fundraiser raised an impressive $50,000 to support its mission of advancing women’s leadership, meaningful community impact, and their current community partner, Family Nurturing Center. Kate Fortlage, President of the Junior League of Cincinnati, shared how the fashion show has been a long-standing tradition that supports fundraising, membership, and community engagement. To kick off the festivities, Cynthia Amnéus from the Cincinnati Art Museum, a Chief Curator and Curator of Fashion Arts and Textiles with over two decades of experience, presented at the March General Membership Meeting on how fashion has been a source of women’s empowerment. In the lead-up to the event, social media influencer, Angie Knows the Truth (@angieknowsthetruth), helped generate buzz and excitement around the fashion show by hosting a giveaway on Instagram. This creative collaboration not only raised awareness about the Junior League of Cincinnati and their mission but also helped sell more tickets, attracting a diverse and enthusiastic audience to the event.

During the event, guests had the opportunity to peruse highly coveted silent auction items and shop a curated popup boutique featuring the latest trends from local businesses, such as Brideface, Classic Prep Monograms, Co-Op on Camargo, and Portaluca, Maximillian Furs, Kendra Scott, Jackie O’s, and Hutch Baby. Additionally, guests could purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win fabulous prizes, including a Ferragamo handbag, a diamond bracelet, and a Bengals game ball autographed by wide receiver, Tyler Boyd.

The Junior League of Cincinnati would like to extend its gratitude to all the individuals and organizations whose generous partnerships made this event possible, particularly the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center for hosting; our sponsors Roto-Rooter, Brideface, Manley Burke, LHH (formerly Parker + Lynch Legal), Trilogy Fitness Systems, Luxe Sunless, and Madison Wealth Management; DJ BlackNMyles for providing musical entertainment; Laura Sioux Photography for capturing the evening and CG Marketing & Communications for providing printed materials.

A special thank you goes to the Junior League of Cincinnati staff, Managing Director Ashley Rouster and and former Office Coordinator, Maggie Walriven, the fashionable models, the numerous volunteers, and the JLC Garden Club for donating the beautiful flowers. This unforgettable night of fashion and philanthropy showcased the power of community collaboration and the importance of supporting local businesses, while raising funds to create a meaningful impact on the lives of those the Junior League serves.

As the evening drew to a close, guests left the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center with a renewed sense of purpose, pride in their community, and a deeper appreciation for the impact of supporting local businesses. The spring fashion show not only showcased the latest trends but also highlighted the incredible power of people coming together to support important causes, such as advancing women’s leadership and promoting social justice education.

By continuing to support the Junior League and its mission, we can ensure that the organization’s positive impact on the community endures and expands in the years to come.

As we look back on the unforgettable evening that was the Spring Fashion Show, let us also look forward with hope and anticipation to what the future holds. Together, we can continue to elevate the world of fashion in our city while also making a tangible difference in the lives of those in need—one stylish step at a time.

Photographs from the event can be found on the Junior League of Cincinnati Facebook page.