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Animal print is a neutral, and the newest sequin fabrics are comfortable enough that sparkles now belong in daytime wardrobes.
That was the fashion decree from Liz and Felicia Akop, owners of Savannah Hoffman Designs, who narrated the Farmers Branch Woman’s Club annual style show Thursday, March 5, at Brookhaven Country Club. The event, themed “Wild About Spring,” drew many attendees wearing animal prints or outfits featuring animals.
The Akop sisters, whose boutique is in downtown Carrollton, styled the runway show.
The annual luncheon and fashion show raises money for local charities and scholarships for college students. This year’s beneficiaries included Metrocrest Services, Woven Health Clinic, The Firehouse Theatre, The Branch Connection and the club’s scholarship program.
“It’s an investment back into your community,” club president Lucy Gore said as she welcomed attendees and thanked them for their support.
One of two major fundraising events hosted by the club each year, the style show raised about $17,000 last year, said Jan Wooldridge, the club’s parliamentarian.
Organizers expected about 260 guests, more than double the club’s membership, said Sharon Leath-Malone, who chaired the event.
“We’re very excited,” Leath-Malone said. “There are a lot of pieces.”
In addition to the luncheon and fashion show, the program featured an online auction, a silent auction with more than 150 items, $5 grab bags, a raffle and a wine pull introduced this year with 20 bottles of wine.
Raffle prizes included a JetSetter travel package with a $100 Southwest Airlines gift card and carry-on bag, a Pampered Chef package, a Kendra Scott pendant with travel case, a 65-inch Samsung television and a gift card tree.
Margaret Young, who has organized the popular $5 grab bags for more than a decade, said the bags are an easy way for the club to raise about $500.
Members collect small gifts throughout the year that they may not use, she said, then combine them into 100 grab bags that typically include jewelry, lotion and other small items. Fifteen bags also contained $10 gift cards to Starbucks or Target.
Not everyone loves what they pull, Young said, but guests often buy another bag and donate the unwanted items back.
“It was a lot of fun trying to make them equal,” said Yvonne Greenwood, Young’s longtime friend who helped assemble the bags.
David Moore, executive director of The Firehouse Theatre, said he has attended the event for at least five years and appreciates the organization of the silent auction.
“I think the Farmers Branch Woman’s Club is the gold standard of silent auctions,” Moore said.
Attendees received a shopping guide listing every auction item by category, including descriptions, values and starting bids. Moore said grouping the baskets by theme makes browsing and bidding easier.
The Farmers Branch Woman’s Club holds its annual style show the first Thursday of March each year. The next event is scheduled for March 4, 2027.
Information and updates are available on the club’s Facebook page and website.
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