By Marie Danforth, WAHHI Historian

Over the years, Style Fashion Shows have generally been a popular program at membership meetings, especially in the early years. In those years, Millie Lewis, a former international model (based in South Carolina), coordinated the shows. She involved many of the local women’s shops, and even included several times Kirschner’s Furs of Savannah. While shops supplied the clothing, WAHHI members served as models.

The first show was in the mid 1960’s (around 67-68) and featured Kirschner’s furs in a show titled “Pantyhose and Furs.” While usually shows featured fashions from stores, in 1972 the show was clothing stitched by individual WAHHI members. By December 1985, husbands and children served as models along with members. This show was so popular that it was offered in two sessions – a luncheon for 600 and later in the day a dinner for 400. In another unique offering in 2006, students at the Savannah College of Art and Design, Fashion Department brought their original designs to the luncheon. In this case, the runway was so large, attendance had to be limited. At another show in 2012 the models were all Past President’s. The last show was in 2016 offered by Affordables. In a new twist, this show also included a Beauty Bazaar, where members sold their beauty and fashion accessory products, with a portion of sales donated to the Youth Community Service Awards.

The membership meeting and luncheon at the Coastal Discovery Museum on April 8th 2021 will feature a Style Show again. This time, however, the show is featuring “ath-leisure” wear to reflect the active lifestyles women enjoy today on Hilton Head with golf, tennis, pickleball, paddling, walking, running, yoga, biking, boating, or anything else! Member models will wear outfits from participating retailers including: Palmetto Running Company, Outside Hilton Head, Jiva Yoga, Hilton Head Bicycle Company, West Marine, Palmetto Dunes Resort, Player’s World of Sports, T. Dalton’s, and Talbots. A 60th Anniversary Community Gift raffle is also being conducted with the grand prize being an e-bike donated by Hilton Head Bicycle Company.