VintageNOW fundraiser for Safe House set for Friday

In its first year, VintageNOW raised $3,500 for Safe House for Women.

Under fire codes, the space that hosted it -- the second floor of the now-closed Buckner Brewing Co. -- had a capacity of 300 people. Event founder Deb Maevers knew the crowd had exceeded that number when she saw the owner of the business "looking nervous," she said.

That was in 2010.

"We knew that night that it was going to be a yearly thing," Maevers said. "... Each year, we've gotten bigger and bigger."

Last year, the event drew 1,200 participants and raised more than $50,000, she said.

"We've become their biggest fundraiser, and we're just happy to help," Maevers said. "I think a lot of people in the community want to help. ... If they don't have time to volunteer at the Safe House, they can come to a fashion show and ... know that money is going to help the women of the Safe House."

Now in its fifth year, the popular fashion show -- which has outgrown multiple venues -- is headed to the Osage Centre, which has a capacity of 1,800, said Maevers, who owns Pastimes Antiques in Cape Girardeau.

The 2014 show, slated for Friday, will take its inspiration from the 1950s, but in addition to vintage pieces, models will show off modern garments and accessories from local boutiques including Stash, Philanthropy and Ophelia, Maevers said.

"You'll see maybe a vintage outfit mixed with a modern jacket and shoes. ... Each outfit will have old and new, and we're showing 80 looks this year," she said.

The show will include a "Just for Fun" segment with casual outfits; a speech by domestic violence survivor Delores McDowell; an auction; and an "All Dolled Up" segment featuring party clothes and evening wear, Maevers said.

"After the speaker speaks, everybody in the room kind of gets it. ... Everybody gets silent in the room," she said.

Maevers said attendees from as far away as Memphis, Tennessee, and St. Louis are planning to come to the show this year.

More than 100 volunteers -- including 40 models ranging in age from 15 to 74 -- put this year's show together, with work beginning a year in advance, she said.

"That's their way of giving back," Maevers said.

In addition to the show, a $25 general admission ticket gets participants a drink and heavy appetizers donated by Ray's of Kelso.

"You can't go to dinner and a movie for that," Maevers said.

A limited number of runway tickets are available for $50 each. Runway tickets must be purchased in advance.

Runway and general admission tickets are available at Pastimes Antiques, 45 N. Main St., or the Safe House Thrift Shop, 230 N. Spring St.

Maevers said general admission tickets also will be available at the door.

epriddy@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

Osage Centre, 1625 N. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, MO