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Gorgeous gowns for grads

Expect to see some gorgeous evening gowns at graduation this year if the recent Chatelech Secondary School fundraising Fashion Show presented on March 29 is anything to go by.

Expect to see some gorgeous evening gowns at graduation this year if the recent Chatelech Secondary School fundraising Fashion Show presented on March 29 is anything to go by.

Angelic Visions owner Joanne Chiasson of Molly's Lane in Gibsons designed the dresses and they were rich and elegant, using vivid and glossy fabrics in an array of reds, whites and teals, plus some modest basic blacks. Most were off the shoulder, cut to reveal corset-style bodices, though a few evoked a medieval look in dainty white or floral patterns suitable for princesses. The guys were handsome, dressed in stylized Zoot suits to remind the audience of an era associated with the theme of the show: Broadway.

Nearly two dozen kids worked hard on making this singing and dancing presentation, said Chiasson, who had to postpone it from its original date because of the teachers' dispute. Several singers performed tunes from two Broadway shows, Chicago and Burlesque. Teresa belted out All That Jazz while Cassidy showed great stage presence with her rendition of If You're Good to Momma. A talented dance team performed the famous women's jail scene from Chicago.

"It was made to appeal to the kids' wild and crazy side," Chiasson said.

She did most of the legwork and all of the needlework ("every stitch") along with a student organizer, Alexa Houle, who contacted the parents, kept the students motivated and modelled in the show.

"To help produce this type of show is quite an undertaking for the students," Chiasson noted.

Other artisans chipped in to accessorize the costumes - Katia Everett showed her line of hand-crafted, wire-wrapped jewellery, the Georgian Trading Company displayed their formal wear, and local hair stylist Marina Mawby made sure the models looked their best.

Chiasson was gratified to betold by a professional photographer, Linsey Hulls, in the audience that her designs were better quality than those of the 40 fashion designers Hulls had seen while taking photosduring Vancouver's Fashion Week.

Funds raised by ticket sales will go to support Chatelech students' dry grad.