Once again, the annual SavvyChic Fashion Show successfully brought together the Pepperdine community and the fashion industry to create an afternoon of glamour and inspiration to benefit Pepperdine’s Boone Center for the Family.
The fashion show was part of an annual fall fundraiser that raises operational funds for the Center for the Family, and took place at the Beverly Hills Hotel Grand Ballroom. It featured a silent auction, vendors, makeovers and a fashion show, all hosted by the Center for the Family.
The fashion show featured designer Lourdes Chavez, clothing from a boutique in Long Beach called Chaussure and clothing from a children’s store called Meggie Lou. These designers created the atmosphere of glamour and luxury at the SavvyChic event by way of their high-end clothing. Event coordinator Leslie Mayer described their designs in detail.
“Lourdes Chavez creates high-end clothing for women. They specialize in evening gowns, suits and outerwear,” Mayer said, “Chaussure carries a wide variety of styles and brands. They carry casual clothes as well as semi-formal wear.”
A Pepperdine student and model for the event, Allie Adkins, also noted the sophisticated style of clothing featured during the fashion show, stating that the style of the designers’ clothing “tended to cater more towards older women, yet maintained a current, trendy style.”
The designers are closely affiliated with Pepperdine University, and their participation in the event gave students the opportunity to get to the forefront of the fashion scene.
“One of the owners of Chaussure, Barbra McElrath, is a Pepperdine parent so we were very excited to bring her on for the event,” Mayer said. “We have also worked with Lourdes Chavez for three years now, and she is so popular with our guests that we like to continue to show her designs.”
Not only were Pepperdine students able to attend the event and meet the designers, but they also played a large role in putting on the fashion show.
“Pepperdine students were models for the fashion show that day,” Mayer said. “The girls committed to attending one rehearsal and one fitting before the show and, on the morning of the event, we did a run through to nail down specific choreography and lineup.”
The fashion show was also beneficial for the models that took part in it.
“Overall, the experience was very enjoyable; I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Adkins said. “All of the ladies were very kind and personable.”
Besides being a great opportunity to bring the Pepperdine community together with the world of fashion, the SavvyChic Fashion Show also benefited the Center for the Family.
“We want to raise awareness about the importance of family values and bring the focus back to family in our community,” Mayer said. “The day serves as a fun and special way to celebrate all the work done at the Center for the Family, while bringing our community together in support of its causes.”
The fashion show chiefly aimed to promote the essential elements that enrich a woman’s life: family centered values, healthy habits that enhance inner beauty and a positive sense of self and confidence projected through style and fashion.
“I feel that fashion is important in creating a positive self-image because it provides a way for every girl to feel beautiful and express their individuality. I really believe that when you look good, you feel good,” Mayer said. “I think every woman can attest to having a few of those special outfits that make them feel like a million bucks and that feeling you get when you wear them is what makes fashion so special.”
This year, the SavvyChic Fashion Show has continued the tradition of successfully benefiting the Boone Center for the Family and promoting its goals while engaging Pepperdine students with the world of fashion in a positive environment.
