There’s a photo that hangs above my desk that features the smiling faces of staff, volunteers and participants who made the Association’s 2010 Fashion & Talent Showcase possible. It’s a daily reminder of how a group of compassionate Oklahomans can give someone impacted by mental illness a unique opportunity that lifts up their spirits and self-esteem by allowing them to show everyone that they are amazingly gifted individuals who have so much to give back to our community.
The thing I remember most about that 2010 fashion show was how much we all felt like we were family. Everyone looked out for each other and the friendships lasted long past that evening, and even to this day. But, really, the same could be said about every fashion show since it began 13 years ago. I should know. I’ve been a part of every one — including the free Fashion & Talent Showcase coming up May 6 at First United Methodist Church.
Looking back on the first ever fashion show, we still fondly remember and laugh about it. As I recall, Wanda Thomas, who was an Association case manager in the housing program, asked some of the ladies what were some of things they’d like to do for fun. They said they’d love to be a part of a fashion show. So Wanda and I — I was working for Creating Connections then as I still do — gathered tenants who lived in our housing, and participants in Creating Connections for the fashion show. I think people just wore their own clothes, instead of receiving donated clothes like they do now. It wasn’t much, but it meant everything to the handful of participants who strutted down the makeshift runway in the second-floor conference room at our Boulder office in Tulsa. We had six participants and maybe six or eight people in the audience. The late Bill Thomas was the emcee and we had a boom box for the music. The people were really excited and thrilled about it. Even though it was such a small event, it still had the same effect on people as the massive fashion show does now with 400 people in the audience. Everyone felt really special and the evening had a magical feel to it.
As a staff member of the Association’s Creating Connections program, the fashion show is one of the highlights of the year. It’s our job to empower Oklahomans impacted by mental illness who tend to isolate to engage in community life and enjoy fun outings using a recovery-support model for social inclusion. There’s really no better way to do that than with the fashion show.
James Breckenridge, a Creating Connections participant, summed it up best when he told the Tulsa World newspaper last year that the reason he loves the fashion show so much is because, “I feel like I am accomplishing something that most people with mental illness don’t get to experience because they think they can’t do it. It lifts me up and gives me a chance to show anybody that even if I have a mental illness I’m not afraid to show the world that I have a hidden skill or a hidden talent.”
The showcase is not a fundraiser, but rather a positive experience for everyone involved. All costs associated with producing the showcase are underwritten by the generous community, including donation of the venue, hair stylists, photography, food, printing and door prizes. The fashion show is made possible through a collaboration with Parkside, Inc., Crossroads Clubhouse, Family & Children’s Services, Bios Corp, Laureate Psychiatric Clinic, Counseling & Recovery Services of Oklahoma, NAMI – Tulsa and Brookhaven Hospital.
From that first year of the fashion show, it grew and grew. We went from the second-floor conference room to the huge Thomas Hall at First United Methodist Church. As much as it has changed over the years, some things never change. For instance, Jimmy Eagle has participated in just about every fashion show. He’s hard to miss: Jimmy’s a spectacular Elvis impersonator who always gets a rousing applause after his unforgettable performance.
The Elvis jumpsuit that Jimmy wears every year wasn’t donated by the Assistance League of Tulsa, but all of the other fantastic dresses, suits and other clothing have been donated by the Assistance League for the past eight years.
We have so much fun every year as we take fashion show participants to the Assistance League’s shop to pick out their clothing and accessories from items donated to the League’s Bargains Resale Shop at 3408 E. 11th St.. A stylist helps each of the participants get fitted for their outfit.
All modeled clothing is donated and / or purchased by the Assistance League of Tulsa, which is an all-volunteer organization of more than 250 members who put caring and commitment into action throughout the community. At the end of the showcase, the models take their new clothes home to use for job interviews and employment.
The reason I look forward to the fashion show every year is to see the smiles on the participants’ faces as they step into the spotlight and everyone cheers for them. There’s really nothing better than that feeling, so I hope you will join us this year. Bring your friends and family out for a free event that is priceless in its ability to open your heart to people you will never forget.
