Strawbery Banke Museum Hosts  

"Passion For Fashion" Benefit Gala

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Star-Studded Evening Includes  

Celebrity Designers Runway Show & VIP Dinner

 Hosted by Project Runway's Austin Scarlett 

For a gallery of photographs from the Gala by David Murray/ClearEye Photo, click here.

PORTSMOUTH, New Hampshire (May 23, 2012) - On Saturday, June 30, 2012, Strawbery Banke Museum hosts the "Passion For Fashion Gala."  The event, which supports the Museum's education programs and preservation efforts, will take place under a tent on the Museum's grounds at 14 Hancock Street in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, beginning at 6:00 pm. The Gala is being held in conjunction with the Museum's exhibit, "Thread: Stories of Fashion at Strawbery Banke, 1740-2012." 

Renowned fashion designer and television star, Austin Scarlett ("Project Runway: All-Stars" and Lifetime's "On the Road with Austin and Santino"), serves as the evening's Emcee. Museum patrons, Lawrence A. Larose and Janet Y. Larose, who co-curated the exhibit with Museum curator Elizabeth Farish, and conceptualized the event, serve as Co-Chairs.

The Passion For Fashion Gala, includes an elegant Champagne Reception and Celebrity Designers Runway Show, followed by a limited availability VIP Dinner.

The program for the Gala evening is as follows:

6:30 pm Champagne Reception

7:30 pm Celebrity Designers Runway Show with special guest Austin Scarlett 

8:30 pm Those with VIP tickets are seated for dinner.

Parking at the Museum is extremely limited. For directions to the Museum, parking recommendations and a map, click here.

The Gala was inspired by Strawbery Banke Museum's extraordinary collection of men's, women's and children's fashion dating from the 1740 through the 1954. The Celebrity Designers Runway Show showcases a number of cutting-edge and contemporary designs by19 extraordinary 21st century fashion designers represented in the Thread exhibit, paying homage to the diversity of the unique pieces contained in the Museum's collection.Designers participating in the exhibit and the Celebrity Designers Runway Show include: Austin Scarlett, Epperson, Emily Muller, Carter Smith, Emma Hope, Philip Treacy, Katerina Lankova and Chesley McLaren and local designers including Robin Bettencourt, Sarah Beth Johnson, Sarah Koski , Bridget Bleckmann, Erana and Leah Kirk. The designers were inspired to use the historic collection as their creative force in the execution of their fashion forward garments.  

The Passion For Fashion Gala promises to be an elegant and unforgettable evening and the highlight of the summer season for all those who attend. Guests are encouraged to wear "festive dress" (black tie optional).

For more information on the Gala or to purchase tickets, please visit Strawbery Banke Museum's website: www.strawberybanke.org/tickets. Guests may purchase tickets for the Champagne Reception and Celebrity Designers Runway Show ($75) or for the full Passion For Fashion Gala with preferred admission to the Champagne Reception & Celebrity Designers Runway Show and a place at the VIP Dinner ($250).

In addition, a raffle to benefit Strawbery Banke offers a one in 200 chance of winning a package to attend New York Fashion Week 2012, including a wardrobe styling and image consultation provided by Amy McLaughlin Lifestyles (value $500), roundtrip airport transportation via Green Rides USA (value $220), Delta Airlines gift card (value $300), gift card for luxury accommodations in Manhattan ($800), dinner for two at Alfredo's in Manhattan (value $300) and two tickets for New York Fashion Week 2012 to view the Spring Collection 2013 by Marchesa (value "priceless").  Raffle tickets, $50 each, are also available on Strawbery Banke's website: www.strawberybanke.org, and the holder need not attend the Gala to win. 

In addition to Co-Chairs Lawrence A. Larose & Janet Y. Larose, Committee Members include: Barbara S. Adams, Joanna Brode, Meg Cavanaugh, Danna Dearborn, Sandie Dika, Nat Frasca, Rick Griffin, Sharon Griffin, Judy Hansen, Jane Hamor, Cynthia Harvell, Linda Higgins (Chair, Décor Committee), Vanda High, Cynthia Larose, Ann J. Malpass, Judy Nerbonne, Kathy Richards, Assiah Russell, Lisa Sammons (Chair, Dinner Committee), Gail Sudduth and Pamela Weeks.

Gala sponsors include: Lawrence A. Larose and Janet Y. Larose, Cynthia Larose,  JCM Management Co., Inc., Vivaldi Boutique, New York; Federal Savings Bank, Harrison J. Goldin; LunaChics; Mintz Levin, Boston; Ocean Properties, Ltd.; Portsmouth Blind and Shade Company, Riverwoods, Winston & Strawn, LLP, New York.  In-kind Gala sponsors include: Amy McLaughlin Lifestyles, Lisa Sammons Events, Vanda High Events, Wingate Salon and Spa, Salonista, Eccentric Hair, Wild Orchid Baking Company, Port City Lighting and Marshall Rental Center, Inc.

About Strawbery Banke Museum  (www.strawberybanke.org)

Using restored houses, featured exhibits, historic landscapes and gardens, and interpretive programs, Strawbery Banke tells the stories of the many generations who settled in this Portsmouth, New Hampshire "Puddle Dock" community from the late l7th to the mid-20th century. The Thread exhibit at Strawbery Banke was made possible in part by grants from the Davis Family Foundation, the Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation, The Coby Foundation, Ltd., the Roger R. and Theresa A. Thompson Endowment Fund and Elisabeth Bartlett Sturges. 

 Image: Gala co-chairs Lawrence A. Larose and Janet Y. Larose