The show often ends with a bride, so, if possible, we try to choose a recently married woman to model the gown. There is always a children’s section, which is usually Oscar de la Renta. Pulling from the city and suburbs is important because it reflects the makeup of our board. We often feature at least one multi-generation family if a participating designer, like Ralph Lauren, wants to show his lines for both children and adults. Other years, some of the models chosen might have an affiliation with the Show’s beneficiary. For instance, because this year marks the 90 th anniversary of the show, we thought it was important to have models whose families have long histories in the city. Ryan Chiaverini and other dapper gentleman hit the stage. We’ve worked hard on this for more than a year, and I feel it will be an emotional moment for all of us. I can’t wait for the lights to go down and the show to start. SUSAN : So many balls in the air! But it is great to have three co-chairs, as well as the Rush Woman’s Board office and Amy Olson shepherding us through the process. It is fun to be leading the charge, but it’s also a lot of work staying on top of everything and moving things forward. The Woman’s Board has been producing the show with the help of Amy Olson for the past three years. We’ve moved the show to a new venue, which is a perfect fit for the veteran’s program. This year, it’s our 90 th annual show, and we are raising funds to support the Road Home Program at Rush so we have a lot with which to work. MINDY : It has more layers to it than a typical fundraiser, as you are planning both a show and a big party.ĪNNE : I think reimagining it each year is a great challenge-and an opportunity. What are the challenges in taking the reins and then executing such a huge and historic event?
I later modeled as a Marshall Field’s bridesmaid before joining the Woman’s Board. My father was a doctor at Rush, so we always went to support the hospital. The more Michael would heckle him, the more Steve would ham it up.ĪNNE : My earliest memory of the show is attending in grade school when it was still held at the Medina Temple. While he was very supportive of his wife, when his teammate Steve Kerr was on the stage, Michael was yelling and laughing. One year, after the lights went down, Michael Jordan came into the audience to watch his wife in the show. MINDY : It was something my mother and I went to together for many years. In recent years, there has not been a bridal segment, so we are really excited to be bringing it back this year with Oscar de la Renta. I recall feeling extremely nervous and shaky, but also really lucky to have been included in the show’s finale, which was an honor always reserved for Marshall Field’s. SUSAN : The first time I was asked to model in the Fashion Show, I was a teenager and was placed in the Marshall Field’s bridal segment as a bridesmaid. What are your earliest and fondest memories of the Rush Fashion Show? In these last weeks leading up to the big night, Mindy, Susan, and Anne shared their recollections of fashion shows past and insights on the magical evening ahead. Perfecting hair and makeup behind the scenes. The longest running charity fashion show in the nation, the event is on track to bring in 800 guests and should more than meet its $500,000 goal. They’ll be walking for a cause: to raise money for the hospital’s Road Home Program for veterans and their families. On October 13, more than 130 Chicagoans from the city’s civic and philanthropic communities-and a smattering of celebrities from the worlds of sports and entertainment-will dominate an all-new runway at Soldier Field’s United Club as models for the evening. The chairs of the Woman’s Board of Rush University Medical Center’s 90 th Anniversary Fashion Show have planned the event so skillfully, they even had time to give Classic Chicago an inside look at the event only two weeks away. But this daunting task has not fazed Mindy Kelly, Susan Merlin, or Anne Tucker in the slightest. Staging one of the nation’s most famous charity fashion shows-at Soldier Field, no less-would intimidate almost anyone.
Co-chairs Mindy Kelly of Kenilworth, Susan Merlin of Lake Forest and Anne Tucker of Chicago (photo by Robin Subar Photography).
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