ABOVE PHOTO: Fashion designer Christine Phillips, (3rd from the right) takes a photo with some of the models who participated in Ms. Phillips’ 19th Annual Fashion Fundraiser. (Photo: Robert Mendelsohn)
By Leah Fletcher
Fashion designer Christine Phillips’ 19th Annual 2018 Fashion Show and fundraiser was a brilliant night of fashion, food and fun, while supporting a great cause.
Phillips tailored an event for a crowd of nearly 250 guests, with proceeds benefiting the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Child Life Department. The event entitled “Entrusted: The Cultivation of Creativity,” was held on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at the 2300 Arena in historic South Philadelphia.
The South Jersey designer’s support was prompted by the program’s unique approach to meeting the needs of children and families as they addressed the overall healthcare experience.
“I was impressed by the use of age-appropriate art therapy, music therapy and pet therapy designed to help meet the unique needs of the children,” said Phillips, who also spoke of her own personal experience of losing a loved one to a debilitating illness.
Kenneth Scott, president of Beech Companies (center) takes a photo with his sisters; from left, Renee McDonald, Valerie Cora, Roxanne August and Robin Cora. (Photo: Robert Mendelsohn)
According to Matt Pointkowski, the Child Life, Education and Creative Art Therapy provides care and support as children and families cope with illness, injury, treatment, hospitalization and the overall healthcare experience. The program is fully funded by donations said Pointkowski, who serves as its Special Events Coordinator at CHOP.
The guests were transported by Pointkowski, who served as Master of Ceremonies, to a New York-styled Fashion Week extravaganza, complete with activities that included a vendor village, swag bags, a silent auction, a four-course dinner that included decadent desserts, a live DJ and lots of dancing, and a couture fashion show, showcasing Phillips’ 2018 Fall Collection, that included men’s haberdashery.
One of the fabulous models from the fashion show. (Photo: Robert Mendelsohn)
Models walked the runway in fashions categorized as “Executive Chic,” “NightLife” and “Bridal.”
A brown wool shimmer herringbone executive dress with turquoise pinstripe accent and flounce sleeves drew wild applause from the audience. The men sporting Yule Leather and J. Hilburn accessories wowed the audience with an array of casual, executive and formal wear.
The event was supported by sponsors that included: Beech Companies, Society for Marketing Professional Services — Philadelphia, eightegrity Branding/Marketing, Broadstone: Business Solutions and Yule’ Leather.
Kenneth Scott, president of the North -Philadelphia-based Beech Companies and a program sponsor, noted “The event provided an opportunity to thank the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for the great service the institution renders to the City of Philadelphia and its neighborhoods.”
For Phillips, who has coordinated similar benefit programs, over the past 10 years, organizing the event to benefit CHOP, by her own admission was “a labor of love.”
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