BY JUDY CARMACK BROSS
Dressed in red, white, and blue, Susan Merlin, Mindy Kelly, and Anne Tucker, the chairs of the Annual Fashion Show held by the Woman’s Board of Rush University Medical Center, joined other local luminaries on the runway to highlight the Road Home Program, a new center for veterans and their families at Rush. Through this event, one of the oldest and most beloved fashion shows in the country, $800,000 was raised for the program.
2016 Fashion Show Co-Chairs Anne Tucker, Mindy Kelly, and Susan Merlin looked perfectly patriotic.
Soldier Field was the site for this feast of fall fashion, with eye-popping footwear the unifying theme among all exhibitors. Glamorous looks by Jil Sander, Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta, Lela Rose, Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, Space 519, chalk, and others were modeled by stylish Chicagoans striding down the 160-foot runway with grace, no matter the height of the heel. The 120 models representing leaders from Chicago’s corporate, arts, and philanthropic communities showed that practice for the event paid off.
Ana Silva Ernst in CH Carolina Herrera.
Sarah Schrup in Jil Sander.
Olive Nordby and Sloane Reynolds in Oscar de la Renta bridal.
Whether with their parents, confidently on their own, or as flower girls in the finale, the children stole the show. These miniature models mastered what must have seemed like an endless runway, some casually waving to their proud mothers in the audience.
The brother and sister duo of Collie and Kolben Kasten modeling looks by Ralph Lauren.
The applause from 800 guests hit a crescendo when a group of gentlemen, all community leaders, modeled formal attire with bonhomie.
Joe Trainor with his service dog C.T., short for Crunch Time.
Much to everyone’s delight, fashion world favorite, designer Adam Lippes, took the stage with his models. But it was the finale that captured everyone’s hearts, with Elizabeth Wanders Moore, who married to NHL player John Moore (Winnetka natives both) this past July, as the bride in Oscar de la Renta.
Designer Adam Lippes (center) takes the stage with Caroline Healy and Megan Hoffman.
Elizabeth Moore in Oscar de la Renta.
Jim Cornelison, the tenor famous for singing “The Star Spangled Banner” and “O Canada” at the beginning of Chicago Blackhawks home games, had the crowd cheering after he sang the national anthem, with assistance from the Marine Color Guard form the 2/24 Marine Unit in North Chicago. Rush Chairman Dr. Larry Goodman welcomed guests.
Jim Cornelison singing the national anthem to start the show.
Experts from Salon Buzz and MAC Cosmetics spent most of the day getting the models runway-ready for the show at the United Club at Soldiers Field. No one could argue with the great results.
A Salon Buzz stylist creating a runway look for one of the models.
Congratulations to the Rush Woman’s Board and to the terrific models!
Nicole Carrabine in Lake Forest Shop.
The Masterson family: Joe Masterson, Mindy Kelly, Marty Masterson, Nancy Masterson, and Mike Masterson.
Kim Vender Moffit in SPACE 519.
Steffie Madigan and Sallie Bulley, Woman’s Board members.
Cammie Hoban in Lela Rose.
Chas Woodward in Jil Sander.
Jennifer baker in CH Carolina Herrera.
Photo credit:
Rush University Medical Center
