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Women's Club Fashion Benefit Looks To Past

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By CLOE CABRERA, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 26, 2008

TAMPA - Since 1946, the Tampa Woman's Club has raised nearly $300,000 for 59 local charities with its annual fashion show.

On Sunday, when Fashionollia 60 hits the stage at the Renaissance Tampa Hotel International Plaza, the event will benefit yet another local organization: the Children's Cancer Center.

The audience can expect to see the latest looks in evening, business and casual wear provided by Dillard's. There also will be boutique shopping and a luncheon.

"We're bringing the show back to its origins," said Joann Guagliardo, producer of the event. "We're going to make it a very beautiful afternoon. There will be something to appeal to all figure types and sizes in the audience."

Sashaying down the runway will be media and sports personalities and business and community leaders, including News Channel 8's Gayle Guyardo and Lynn Carson, and arena football players Nyle Wiren of the Tampa Bay Storm and Shane Stafford of the Orlando Predators.

Attendees will be able to do some shopping before the show. More than 60 local boutiques will be selling everything from jewelry and handbags to hats and stationary.

"We're kicking it up a notch," said Kathleen Hudson, co-chairwoman of the event. "It's more like it used to be. I think that's what people wanted."

Since its inception, the event has been held annually except for two years. Twenty-five years ago, the show was one of the area's biggest fashion galas of the year.

"Women would salivate to be there," Guagliardo recalled. "They wore hats and gloves to this event. And the lighting and scenery were just spectacular. We're bringing the same excitement and energy from the past shows."

Last year, more than 300 people attended the Fashionollia, which raised $15,000 for the Federation of Women's Clubs president's "Making Dreams Come True" scholarship program.

The Tampa Woman's Club was founded in 1900 as a community service organization and to advance women's causes. Members must fulfill duties and serve on committees in their choice of six departments: art, conservation, education, home life, public affairs and international affairs.

IF YOU GO

Fashionollia 60

WHEN: 10 a.m. Sunday; luncheon and celebrity fashion show at noon

WHERE: Renaissance Tampa Hotel International Plaza, 4200 Jim Walter Blvd.

TICKETS: $50 for individuals; $125 for patrons (includes reserved table and program listing); available through Thursday by calling (813) 839-7457

Reporter Cloe Cabrera can be reached at (813) 259-7656 or ccabrera@tampatrib.com.

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