Oh, là là! GSB Fashion Event C'est très Magnifique!

By Alice Roche Cody

Tuesday's highly anticipated Parents' Association Fashion Event, La Vie Est Belle, had it all – event co-chairs sipping wine at a Paris café, GSB senior moms showing off the latest fashions, an outstanding basket raffle, and Pandora luxury prizes to benefit our Parents' Association.

And it's not over! Through next week, shoppers can visit our online vendors, and a percentage of all sales will be donated to the GSB PA. If you missed the festivities, don't fret! The production will be rebroadcast on Tuesday, May 18, at 7:00 p.m.

As more than 150 guests Zoomed into our PA Fashion Show, Head of School Sid Rowell welcomed his eager audience, thanked the PA for its efforts, and gave a shout-out to our GSB community: "This is quite an achievement! Thank you for your support."

This year's re-invented remote extravaganza was a postponement of 2020's in-person show. PA President Sheri Cohen, who said that COVID-19 was not stopping this long-standing GSB tradition, gave a heartfelt merci beaucoup to the PA event co-chairs and committee and all the donors and families who supported the event.

For Event Co-Hosts, Cheryl Fritzlo P '19, '21 and Lynn Farscht P '21, it was dejavu. As they sat at beautifully appointed table complete with tea and croissants, the Eiffel Tower in the background, Lynn talked about the Fashion Show's theme, Life is Beautiful.

"It is a good reminder that no matter what is going on around us, we can reflect on the things that are important and beautiful," she said. "We had time this year to think about how much family and friends mean to us." Both co-chairs expressed their gratitude to their committee for rallying for a second year to help, the senior moms for being so brave, and the Gill community registrants who supported the virtual show and online auction.

Even though this year's event remained virtual, PA planners maintained many traditional pieces and succeeded in engaging our GSB community and raising funds for the PA's annual allocations. The show also celebrated our senior mom models on the runway, with a prerecorded catwalk outside Windswept Boutique in Mendham. Popular fashion basket raffles and Pandora luxury prizes moved to a remote silent auction. A fun highlight included the event co-chairs' "trip" to the City of Lights, complete with shopping at Chanel, snapping selfies at the Louvre, and dancing at the Moulin Rouge, all thanks to a green screen and Photoshop tools.

For the auction, bids built during the week leading to the event. During the show, Lower and Middle School Director Kyle Armstrong shared about the many benefits students receive through the PA, including 3D printers, hosting virtual speakers, and items for the Fine Arts Department.

And there's still time to get involved! Through April 27, mention the GSB Fashion Event when shopping online or in-person at a store on our vendor list – Bling It Up, Bonnie Jennifer, KK's Boutique, Summer Love Designs, The Tempting Table, Ward Vintage Jewelry, and Windswept Boutique – and a percentage of sales will benefit our PA.

Thank you for your support!

Remember: Sois belle á ta façon!
(Be beautiful in your own way.)