Grace Bell is only 13 but already understands community service.
“When I lived in Knoxville (Tenn.), I would hand out kits to the homeless,” she said at the Wear the Care fashion show Thursday night at The Ballroom downtown. Bell put her service sensibility to good use by participating in the fashion show dedicated to raising awareness and funds for Reach of Cherokee County Inc., a nonprofit organization that fights domestic violence and sexual assault.
Three local leaders – Lizz Aquarian, Jody Quillian and Wendy Alexander – organized the charity event based on their love of fashion and their desire to include children in a community outreach focusing on Reach.
“We support Reach’s fight against domestic violence and their support of the victims,” Alexander said. She provided the 30 or so models for the sparkling red runway from her theatre classes at Murphy middle and high school.
“This is an opportunity for the children to participate and the students to perform,” Alexander said before the show.
The front of the house was all decorum and style with cloth-covered chairs, a fairy-lit stage and an elegant runway with electric candles. Quillian, who provided all the clothing for the event from her Glitz & Glamour Boutique, ran the front of the house, while Aquarian donated The Ballroom for the event.
Backstage, the models fussed with their outfits, re-fluffed their hair and helped each other with makeup. Electric energy brightened the crowded dressing rooms.
Bethany Kitchens, 10, admired her outfit while waiting her turn to walk the runway.
“I like this vest,” she said, running her hand over the fabric. “It’s fluffy and it matches the dress.”
Experienced model Amirah Lloyd, 12, of Murphy Middle School, calmly munching on Pringles potato chips, said she enjoys modeling. “I have experience in fashion,” she said, adding that the event was a good thing to do.
Shay Annis, 21, grew up loving Glitz & Glamour Boutique, spending many years working with Quillian.
“This event shows the evolution of Murphy,” she said, referring to opportunity for students to get involved in a meaningful charity event.