Bare Bones Boutique Holds Benefit Fashion Show By Mike Shands These are just some of the fashions that will be on display and for sale during the show April 23. Photo by Mike Shands. Fashion bargains will abound this month during an afternoon of modeling, food and fun. The Watauga Humane Society’s Bare Bones Boutique Thrift Store will hold its first Cat Walk Fashion Show Saturday, April 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Appalachian Cultural Museum. All money raised from the show will benefit the humane society. “This is to get our boutique out there,” said Penny Gamblin, Bare Bones Boutique manager. “We have really expanded from the old boutique, and a lot of people still aren’t aware that we’re out here and what we have. “Here we put out displays, and we have great clothes that are constantly being changed out. I want (people) to know we are here, and not just for the clothes. We have everything – furniture, electronics and much more. “It’s also to raise money for the humane society.” During the show humane Society volunteers will model Bare Bones Boutique outfits, which will be for sale the day of the event for a minimum of $12. They will feature a wide variety of fashions and sizes for women, men and children. “We’ll have a lot of spring and summer fashions,” Gamblin said. “We’ll have dresses, suits, a tennis outfit, jeans, sandals, high heels and light jackets. “We’ll have a men’s tuxedo and a lot of men’s sporting clothes – shorts and matching tops, plus men’s dress pants and shirts. “We’re going to have plus-size women’s clothes and kids’ fashions from 7 years old to teenagers. We even have two beautiful wedding dresses with veils and trains.” Gamblin said about 10 to 15 volunteers will model two outfits apiece during the show. In addition, at least two clothes racks worth of fashions from the boutique will be available for purchase, as will several Watauga County Christmas Cabbage Queen outfits. All accessories used in the show will also be available for purchase. “We have all of the accessories for most of the fashions,” Gamblin said. “We’re going to have jewelry, shoes, the purses, the scarves, the hats and belts. Everything that the model is wearing that day is up for sale.” All clothing and accessories featured in the show have been donated to the boutique. The fashion show will also feature raffle items donated in either new or excellent used condition. Some of the raffle items will include a Gucci handbag, a Franklin Mint knife, antique pottery, a sterling silver turquoise ring, a gift certificate from Bare Bones Boutique, a waterscape fountain, a quilt and a choice of leather jackets. “You’ll get a certificate and pick out your own leather jacket – whether you’re a man or woman – so you can get the correct size,” Gamblin said. “We have plenty of leather jackets here. We’ve got motorcycle jackets and beautiful suede jackets.” Raffle tickets will be sold for $1 apiece. Those purchasing raffle tickets don’t have to be present to win. Bill Fisher from MTN will serve as the fashion show’s emcee as models strut their stuff down the red carpet runway. Those attending the show will also enjoy a delicious lunch menu including vegetable trays with a remoulade, spinach dip with pita points, tuna salad with dill sandwiches, a relish tray, cherry cream cheese sandwiches, raspberry brownies, cookies, iced teas and lemonade with mint. Only 100 tickets to the event are available at $5 apiece. The preferred deadline to purchase tickets is April 16, but some may still be available after that date. “They are selling fast, and I don’t want anybody to miss out,” Gamblin said. “We need to know how many will be there because of the catering.” Tickets are available at Bare Bones Boutique, at the humane society’s shelter, from humane society board members and from boutique volunteers. Gamblin said the fashion show wouldn’t be possible without the efforts of humane society volunteer and event organizer Amy Gilman. “Amy has really thought of everything, “Gamblin said. “She’s been a big help in all of this. She has coordinated it, made all of our own tickets and our own flyers. She just doesn’t quit.” Bare Bones Boutique is located at 153 Don Hayes Road near Old Highway 421 South in Rutherwood, across from the Rutherwood Baptist Church. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call the thrift store at (828) 264-7339 for more information about the fashion show or for ticket availability. The Appalachian Cultural Museum is located at 400 University Hall Drive in Boone. Call the museum at (828) 262-3117 for detailed directions.