Last week, the Santa Clara Woman’s Club rolled out its own operation runway at its annual fashion show fundraiser. The afternoon featured high fashion day and evening wear, courtesy of San José-based Designer’s Corner.
The club’s models took to the runway, with commentary from Santa Clara’s leading fashionista, Council Member Patricia Mahan. The models included Martha Ragone, Roseann LaCoursiere, Carolyn Schuk, Alma Guillot, Carol Litle, Marlene O’Donnell, Elizabeth Barron, Barb Crum and Sandy Myers—with a special appearance by Jeannie Mahan in a stunning fairytale princess evening gown.
The event was sold out, with 130 people turning out to enjoy the show and lunch at Mariani’s Restaurant. “This year, more than ever, our club members came together to make this fashion show so successful. ” said event chair Jeannie Mahan.
“The committee worked hard,” said Jeannie Mahan. “Decorations made by our Craft Club, the venue and menu at Mariani’s, the many beautiful raffle baskets and silent auction donations, the invitations and program, the clothes from Designer’s Corner and the models, the set up and take down crew, the check-in table, the ticket sellers—the list goes on and on. It truly did take a village of Santa Clara Woman’s Club members to make this happen.”
In addition to the fashion show, the afternoon included door prizes, silent auction and an opportunity drawing, raising about $5,000 for the club’s charitable projects, nursing scholarship and preservation of its historic adobe.
Owned and run by Melanie Devletian, Designer’s Corner has been a Santa Clara neighbor since 1976. Formerly located in the Town and Country mall (the site of Santana Row today), Designer’s Corner moved to its present Winchester Blvd. address in 2001.
Devletian, who herself is a custom clothing designer and pattern-maker, specializes in ready-to-wear styles from contemporary North American designers such as Alberto Makali and Joseph Ribikoff. Patrons say that designer’s Corner staff provides personal service without being pushy, and its collection is unmatched in variety and originality.
Santa Clara Woman’s Club meets the first Friday of every month for lunch at the Adobe on 3260 The Alameda. Visitors are always welcome, but the club asks that you call for reservations in advance, (408) 246-8000.
Designer’s Corner is at 831 S. Winchester Blvd. in San José, just before the Neal Ave. intersection. For more information, visit www.santaclarawomansclub.org call (408) 243-6322.
In the interest of full disclosure, Carolyn Schuk was a fashion show model.
