Issue date: 10/2/08 Section: Scene

Media Credit: Kim Acheson

With October being Breast Cancer Awareness month, organizations nationwide will be holding fund-raising events, but the masterminds behind one Eau Claire fund-raising event are hoping to do more than just raise money. They hope to fight breast cancer in style - literally.

The Ramada Convention Center, 205 S. Barstow St., is hosting the first ever Fashion Show, a fashion show and wine tasting bar, complete with a deejayed after party stocked with four full-service bars and dance floors.

While advanced tickets cost $20, proceeds will be going to the Marshfield Breast Cancer Research Foundation in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month. The event is pitched to be something the Eau Claire area has never seen before. Ramada Sales Manager Teresa Jorgensen said planners of the show wanted a high-energy, fun event that could benefit the community.

Something different

The 18-plus event is unique to Eau Claire because it is an up-scale event aimed at feeling like a Twin Cities dance club, Jorgensen said, adding that planners wanted an event that had a different feel than anything else in Eau Claire.

"This isn't a bar turned club, … it's something Eau Claire really doesn't have," Jorgensen said. "It's taking a Twin Cities club and bringing it here, making it fun and still giving back."

The event, emceed by Z100's Jar E. Jordan, will feature four deejays from Sound in Motion, fog lights and laser shows, as well as a surprise event specifically for guests to keep the energy high. Many of the retail lines will also be giving away gift bags and coupons for guests as part of the show.

Jorgensen said that although the event is not totally high fashion, a dress code will be enforced to create a more up-scale, red carpet feel; something the Chippewa Valley doesn't see every day.

On the catwalk

The show will feature 10 different lines from national stores, such as Express, Katmandu and Maurice's; but the unique twist to this show will be the collections from local designer Huey Yang and design students from UW-Stout. Attendees won't just see off-the-rack looks they could find at the mall, but will get the chance to see some original, local work, including some couture designs, Jorgensen said.

"This is definitely more fashion than what you could find at the mall," she said.

Every collection will be featuring both casual and dress-wear for both men and women. And if the fashion doesn't catch the eye, perhaps the models will. While some of the models are professionals from an agency, many of the models are UW-Eau Claire students.

"We want to include the community," said Abrar Rabbi, one of the event's planners. "We decided to actually take the time and give (students) an opportunity."

Because of the nature of the event, student models are earning Service Learning hours, Jorgensen said. Besides student models, some of the models featured are breast cancer survivors, she added.

While junior Mike Johnson does have some print modeling experience, he is looking forward to trying runway modeling.

"I thought it'd be good to do it in the local community," he said.

As a modeling team leader, Johnson will be taking advantage of the Service Learning hours his strutting is offering him.

"What better way to get hours ... it's something fun, something enjoyable," he said, adding he is happy to participate in a charitable event.

"And there's nothing wrong with trying on new clothes," he said.

Junior Charlene Lucht couldn't agree more.

"It's like playing dress up but with cooler clothes," she said, adding she's excited about the chic lines that will be featured at the event. Lucht, who has already had some fittings with Express, said students can expect to see leggings, skinny jeans with over-sized sweaters, jackets and night wear.

"It's all super chic," she said. "Very sophisticated and high class."

Lucht, who is also using the event to fulfill her Service Learning hours, is appreciative for having the chance to learn how to model.

"It's a great opportunity to learn," she said. "It builds a lot of confidence with being comfortable in you own body."

While Johnson and Lucht are excited about the clothes, both admitted they're excited for being on the runway.

"It's going to be such an adrenaline rush," Lucht said. "I'm so excited."

The after party

Techno, house, top 40 and classic rock spun by some of the most popular deejays from Twin Cities' clubs will keep the after party moving until 2 a.m. Some of the featured deejays include Innovation, Jeff Hunter, D-struct and woman deejay Dayne. All the deeyjays' stylings can be checked out at www.SIMshows.com.

Based on the success of the event, the Ramada hopes to expand the fashion show into a seasonal event, featuring different collections for each season. Volunteers are still needed for the event. If interested contact Rabbi at the Ramada. Donations for breast cancer research will also be accepted during the event.

"We're excited to give back to the community," Jorgensen said. "You still get to party, but you get so much more."

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