Links’ fashion show gala raises funds to help youth

Links of Las Vegas hosted its sixth annual Sepia Fashion Show, “A Fashion Carousel,” in December at the LVH Ballroom.

Links Inc. is a national, predominantly African-American women’s organization with more than 12,000 members in 300 chapters in 42 states and the District of Columbia; Nassau, the Bahamas; and Frankfurt, Germany.

For the past 30 years, the Las Vegas Links Chapter has provided a variety of service projects and programs within the community working to eliminate the problems experienced by minority youth and their families.

The gala evening began with cocktails and appetizers as members and their guests including Congressman Steven Horsford, Kathleen Knight, Jean Childs, Celeste Hunter and Berna Rhodes-Ford socialized.

At the appointed hour, the doors into the ballroom were opened for fashion show seating around the long runway.

The welcome was given by Links Chairwomen Ida Gaines and Verlia Davis-Hoggard. Marian D. Burns, president of the Las Vegas Links Chapter, spoke about the event raising money to provide thousands of dollars in scholarships for deserving high school students in the Las Vegas Valley, plus other program activities.

The two-hour production featured the Hamilton Vogue-Esquire models of Chicago. Both male and female models showcased fashion creations that left audience members breathless as they sat back and relaxed while viewing the “Fashion Carousel.”

The fashion commentary was by Fannie Hamilton, who added comical remarks and kept the show moving at a fast pace.

The fashions shown were elegant, provocative and glamorous with lots of bling.

The fashion show featured prominent American, French, Italian and Asian designers.

The evening’s entertainment was 14-year-old Kaela Jonson Smith, a rising vocalist and actress who sang three popular songs, and Leann Donte, who sang “This Girl Is on Fire.”

Seen among the Links members and their guests enjoying the show were Juanita Williams, Beryl Warren, Beverly Dabney, Patti Hester, Verna Stringer, Thelma Hall, Bobby Gordon, Sylvia Milliner, Lorita Prentice, Ouida Brown, Lillian McMorris, Tina Howard, LaJoie Colman, Sharlene Walker, Marie Ray Scott, Hannah Brown, Sarah Walker, Michele Lynch, Dorrie Merrett, Kelley Jones, Debbie Conway, and state Sen. Aaron Ford.