The bright lights and glamour of a fashion show offer a striking contrast to the poverty experienced by the people living around Fertile, Missouri. The citizens of the rural community, located a little more than an hour from St. Louis, are often without electricity, and some even make homes out of abandoned structures and vehicles. The Rural Parish Workers of Christ the King are dedicated to serving this population. The small religious order provides everything from food and housing to social activities and spiritual guidance. For 51 years, Friends of the Rural Parish Workers has thrown an annual fall fashion show and luncheon to support this mission.
Rural Parish Workers was founded by a group of Catholic women more than seven decades ago. The area it serves was once a mining community, but employment opportunities became limited once the mines closed. Kathy Ankley has been part of the Friends group for more than 30 years and still is amazed by the work being done. “It’s hard to imagine that people living so close to St. Louis are in such poverty,” she says. “These incredible women have dedicated their lives to serving people and restoring human dignity.”
Ankley is co-chair of this year’s fashion show, and the planning committee includes women who organized the original show in 1967, held at the old St. Louis Arena. “The first show sold out immediately at around 200 guests,” Ankley says. “This year, we hope to have 600. It’s been a wonderful event for 50 years, and we’re sure the 51st will be just as successful.”
To make the fashion show a success, Friends of the Rural Parish Workers partners with West County Center. Its stores provide fashions, and Sean Phillips, the center’s marketing director, serves as the show’s producer. “We’re really grateful to Sean and West County Center for continuing to support us,” Ankley says. Phillips says the enthusiasm goes both ways. “We’ve produced the show for more than 10 years; it’s become an annual tradition,” he says. “The stores always are excited to put on a great show for a great cause.”
This year, the event is Oct. 12 at The Ritz-Carlton, and the theme is ‘Welcome to New York.’ “Everyone who attends will get to see the new fall fashion while helping those in need,” Phillips says. West County Center stores participating include Altar’d State, Banana Republic, Colette Collection, Dressbarn, Evereve, Gap, Imagine That, Macy’s and White House Black Market. The day’s festivities begin at 10 a.m. when fashion and accessory boutiques open, and the luncheon gets underway at 11:45 a.m. Tickets are $85, and guests can register at rpwck.org/fashionshow.
The show’s models are volunteers of all ages from area parishes, and Ankley says people are always excited to see their friends and family hit the runway for a good cause. “The St. Louis community is really incredible and charitable,” she notes. “People give not only money, but their time and talent as well. That’s what has made us successful, and we’re grateful to live in such a special place where people are willing to help others.”
West County Center and Rural Parish Workers of Christ the King are working together to aid area residents in need. Pictured on the cover: Sean Phillips, marketing director of West County Center and producer of the fashion show, on location at North American Helicopter. Clothing: Brooks Brothers; hair: Rochelle’s Design Studio; makeup: Randi Davis. For more information or to register, visit rpwck.org/fashionshow.
Cover design by Julie Streiler
Cover photo by Suzy Gorman
Pictured above: Original committee member Pat Gioia, Directress of Rural Parish Workers Natalie Villmer, model Ellen Carlson
