If you give a hoot about fashion in Ottawa, then you already know about the annual Shepherd’s Ooh and Aah Fashion Show in support of the Youville Centre that took place on Thursday, October 22. I consider myself very into fashion, and can’t believe I hadn’t discovered this fashion show until this year.
First, one thing you should give a hoot about is contributing to society and helping out those who aren’t as financially fortunate or have had as many opportunities as most of us, and that’s what this night was all about. The Youville Centre is a post-secondary institution designed for teenage at-risk moms to finish their highschool education, while their babies are taken care of at the daycare in the centre at the same time. The centre provides an opportunity for young moms to get their lives back on track and become great parents in a place where they feel safe and secure.
As I recall being in highschool was hard enough as it was, I can’t imagine having a baby in with the mix, and just that in itself makes me a huge supporter of the Youville Centre and the work that they do there.
This year the Shepherd’s fashion show brought in a whopping $42, 000 which will pay for the centre to have counselling services for the girls for another year. This is obviously a big deal.
So you might be wondering how this fashion show brought in this much money? Well, it clearly had some great publicity and promotion, also the show is an annual event, and there are a lot of very generous and giving people in Ottawa. But what made the show incredible? The unbelievable and beautiful clothing from Shepherd’s Fashions. If you’re not familiar with the store there are two of them in Ottawa, one in the Rideau Centre and the other in Bayshore mall. I had walked past Shepherd’s on the third floor in Rideau Centre many times but never gone in. I will admit that I wasn’t sure that the store was for women my age but more for an older clientele, but boy was I wrong. The clothes are classy, elegant, and most importantly: timeless. My breath was literally taken away by many of the outfits the models came out in, and you can bet that the second I had the opportunity I was in the store pricing things out. Marlene Shepherd (owner) has done wonders for Youville Centre, and people couldn’t praise her enough throughout the whole evening.
Another reason the show was amazing was the insanely decadent and delicious food supplied by Creative Kosher Catering. David Smith, kosher caterer and party designer, had the most beautifully displayed and fantastic tasting food I think I’ve ever seen. It also helped that he donated in-house catering parties to auction bidders, and did it by announcing it on stage while pumping up the audience dancing to Love Generation by Bob Sinclar up and down the catwalk. The audience were literally all on their feet dancing, and the atmosphere in the room was so full of love and joy it was hard not to tear up.
Lastly, the door prizes, silent auction, and live auction were absolutely incredible. Maybe I’m biased, because I totally won $500 worth of MAC makeup and couldn’t stop smiling for about three days after. After this, I thought it only appropriate to bid on a beautiful red purse in the silent auction, won the bid, and I’ve never ever gotten so many compliments on an accessory in my life.
Hands down, an amazing night! I’ve never seen more fashionable women in my life. Every woman there had their own classy and beautiful sense of fashion and I couldn’t help but stare and admire. SO if you love fashion like I do, and if you feel like giving to a good cause, keep Shepherd’s Ooh and Aah Fashion Show in support of Youville Centre on your radar!
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