13th Annual Toast To Fashion

[Isabella Pignatello, McClain Brooks] Last Thursday was the 13th Annual Toast to Fashion at Belle Haven Country Club in Alexandria. This annual event combined a fashion show, marketplace, raffle, and reception to raise money for the Campagna Center. Some of the most fashion-forward spring trends from merchants and boutiques in Alexandria and the Washington metropolitan area were featured. Market place vendors at Toast to Fashion included local favorites like Reunions, Shop Mamie, Skinfinity, Oh My Darling Smocked clothing, Pink and Brown, The Dressed up Nut, Francesca Joy and gorgeous jewelry from Toka & Chris, J.Ryan, Rachelle Celline and Queen Bee Designs.

The Toast to Fashion is organized by Laura Hartman and Jeannine Ginivan Hyde and supported by the volunteer workforce of The Campagna Center, known as The Junior Friends, a group of about 150 women volunteers ages 25-45, who work to help support and fundraise for The Center.

Carrie Garland was awarded with The Anne Culbert Legacy of Service Award, Nicole Duncan was honored with The Barbara Pratt Lee Heart of Gold Award, and Allison Priebe Brooks was awarded The Golden Halo Award.

This night was especially meaningful because of a special award given to Elizabeth Fawn Slack Pignatello posthumously: the Unsung Hero award. Elizabeth and her boyfriend, Shannon Bebe, perished in August last year in a small aircraft accident. Elizabeth was a dedicated Junior Friend who always described by friends as "the life of the party with a heart of gold." Her daugher, Isabella, walked in the show.

[Award recipients: Enid Robinson and Isabella Pignatello, Allison Priebe Brooks, Nicole Duncan, and Carrie Garland]

Held each Spring, the Toast to Fashion combines a Fashion Show and Marketplace. Proceeds from the fashion show and sale benefit the programs of the Campagna Center, which helps more than 1,700 Alexandria children arrive at school ready to be successful at each grade level.

[courtesy photos]