The 82nd Annual Rush Fashion Show

Photos by Alyssa Blanchard

Color, texture, and design all became magnificent ‘Silhouettes’ when one hundred seventy five models took the stage for The Woman’s Board of Rush University Medical Center’s 82^nd Annual Fashion Show. Beautiful fashions were modeled by the beautiful people of Chicago including: Taylor Miller from All My Children, Steve Baskerville from CBS 2, Kathy L. Brock from ABC 7, Anna Davlantes from NBC 5, Mike Leonard from NBC, Megan Mawickie from CBS 2, Bill Zwecker from CBS 2, and Robin Robinson and Margaret Shortridge-Werd from FOX News Chicago. The staged event consisted of 19 scenes that showcased the latest fashions. The Incognito Orchestra played along with the musical stylings of Ann Hampton Callaway, Liz Callaway, Chris Bennet, Lynne Jordan, Rich Parenti, and Robin Pluer.

Women’s, men’s, and children’s fashions all shared the spotlight throughout the night. Macy’s was all about black and white, Saks Fifth Avenue displayed deconstructed cut-outs, and Loro Piana kept warm with a variety of fur trimmed attire for their men’s and women’s collections. One-of-a-kind clothing was unmatched in its unique entirety by Sotheby’s Chicago Fashion Design Students: Nora del Busto, Tyler Coughlin, Emily Marxer, and Rachel Frank. Sophisticated women’s fashions were showcased by Tory Burch, McElroy Furs, The Lake Forest Shop, Luca Luca, Francis Heffernan, Jake, Ultimo, and with stunning Bohemian/Russian Aristocracy-inspired gowns by Neapolitan.

Children’s tartan jumpers, corduroys, peter pan collars, and big buttons were a constant theme in children’s wear by Papo D’ Anjo and Penny’s From Heaven. Tween clothing was also magnificently put on by Phoebe & Francis. Towards the end of the night, JP Morgan partnered with Tiffany & Co. for a sparkling diamond display in which each model became Holly Go Lightly from the famous “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”.

Fashion Show Chairman, Catherine King, and Woman’s Board President, Consie Pierrepont, considered the show a success among their efforts to raise $10 million for the Rush University Medical Center Campaign that includes building a new state-of-the-art, multidisciplinary Heart and Vascular Center. Larry J. Goodman, President and CEO of Rush University Medical Center, opened the show with words that will continue to resonate in the audiences’ hearts,” Silhouettes – appropriately signals this groundbreaking year for Rush, when the plans for the entire transformation of our campus are moving from outline to concrete forms and foundations.”
-Jackie Medler