If you’ve been missing the Ebony Fashion Show, and enjoyed the entertaining style and unique fashions, then you’re guaranteed to get your fix at the Fierce Fall Fashion Show Sat., Sept. 19 at the Topeka Performing Arts Center.
The show features the Vogue-Esquire Models from Chicago, and if founder Carlton Hamilton has anything to do with it, you will know the group dates back to 1958, the same year the Ebony Fashion Show was founded. Who was the originator of the concept may be up for debate, but one thing is for certain, The Vogue Esquire Models have not only survived, they’ve thrived.
Hamilton’s tour is the longest running tour in the country, and the only surviving African-American owned touring runway show of major caliber. A former model himself, Hamilton organized and directed the troupe’s travel from city to city; producing extravagant, entertaining, top-notch fashion shows. The tour, commonly known in earlier decades as Sepia Fashion Revue, and Vogue-Esquire Models, has been the foundation and stomping grounds for numerous industry professionals to learn, and grow from raw, wide-eyed talents into polished success stories.
Today, the tour travels from coast to coast, debuting in dozens upon dozens of cities, both large and small. However, the Vogue-Esquire Models, matched with the hospitality and crafting of the Topeka Links, makes the Topeka show among the troupe’s best in the country.
The Links wrap a lot of hospitality around the event with a pre-show reception that features delicious hors d’Oeuvres, a silent auction and a cash bar. If you want to step it up a notch, you can arrive early for a special VIP Party that includes food, music, a live auction and an open bar.
“It is exciting to be back at the art-deco TPAC with a 24-foot runway, spotlights, great cuisine, and the Vogue Models of Chicago, whom our loyal followers have returned to see year after year; they are a huge crowd-pleaser,” said Leslie Fleuranges of the Topeka Links.
The VIP reception begins at 5 p.m., the public reception begins at 6 p.m., with the fashion show beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 for general admission and $55 for VIP tickets that also entitles you to reserved table seating on the floor and, the best view of the runway.
Tickets can be purchased online at Eventbrite.com at 2016topekalinkstickets.
With humble beginnings, the Vogue Models of Chicago tour has traveled across the nation, from coast to coast, debuting in dozens upon dozens of cities, both large and small. Hamilton’s tour is the longest running tour in the country, and the only surviving African-American owned touring runway show of major caliber, to date.
Celebrating its’ 52cnd annual tour, a new group of fresh faced, ambitious beauties are introduced, and groomed to take the industry by storm.
The historic women’s service organization, theTopeka Chapter of the Links, Inc., in association with Hill’s Pet Nutrition, is excited to announce their downtown return to the Topeka Performing Arts Center for their 37th annual Fierce Fall Fashion Show, on Saturday, September 19th, at 6:00 PM.
The cornerstone fundraising event of the Topeka Chapter of the Links, Inc. to benefit community programming and scholarships, will feature the renowned and flamboyant Vogue Models of Chicago. This professional touring company showcases top designers from America and abroad.
Wendy Wells, US BANK Topeka Market President, is the honorary chair of the event.
“We’ve added some fierce new twists this year that we think everyone will enjoy,” say Topeka Chapter of the Links Fashion Show Co-Chairs Leslie Fleuranges and Akilah Scott. “It is exciting to be back at the art-deco TPAC with a 24-foot runway, spotlights, great cuisine, and the Vogue Models of Chicago, whom our loyal followers have returned to see year after year; they are a huge crowd-pleaser,” said Leslie Fleuranges of the Topeka Links.
General Admission tickets are $40 and include the fashion show, hors d’oeuvre reception, silent auction, live music, and cash bar.
A VIP Party, co-sponsored by the NAACP Kansas State Conference kicks off at 5:00 PM. VIP Tickets are $55 and include reserved seats, a hors d’oeuvre buffet catered by Pacha’s by the Pound, wine bar, live auction and a meet and greet with special guest Hazel N. Dukes, president of the New York State Conference of the NAACP. Mrs. Dukes is also a member of the Metro Manhattan (NY) Chapter of the Links, Inc.
Janet Thompson Jackson is emcee for the night’s festivities. Jackson is host of KTWU-TV Kansas Public Broadcasting’s monthly community affairs series, “I’ve Got Issues” and a professor at Washburn Law.
Sponsors of A Fierce Fall Fashion Show include Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Colgate-Palmolive, US Bank, Nason Lui MD FACS, Cox Business, Capitol Federal®, GO TOPEKA, WIBW, L&J Building Maintenance, My Company, Inc., KTWU, Cortez Transportation, NAACP Kansas State Conference, Waddell & Reed/Ryan D. Eckert, Security Benefit, and the Topeka Civic Theater and Academy.
For more information and tickets, visit www.topekalinkstickets.eventbrite.com
