Hope’s Chest fashion fest fights to help families cope
Vintage couture and fashion funk were the rage in St. Helena last Saturday at the Hope’s Chest Fashion Show, benefiting Cope Family Services, which serves all of Napa County.
Co-produced by Iren Aslanian Jenny of Yountville and Cope, the annual event is held at the historic Aslanian Family property. More than 80 attendees enjoyed an afternoon of sips, bites and then fights—to get the modeled goods that they desired. Fights at a fashion show? Read on.
I had long been invited to attend a Hope’s Chest event. Sadly though, for many years conflicts prevailed. Yet, the consistent stream of colorful images of purses, jewels, clothing, shoes and handbags, MANY stylin’ bags, shared by Aslanian Jenny from these events, continued to float by my social feed. Finally, my curiosity was piqued. What was this Hope’s Chest runway walk all about?
Along with two childhood friends, we made our way up to St. Helena for the show. Bubbles, nibbles and shopping for wearable flair for a great cause, along with my girls? I could not wait!
My friend Lidia Kasarda and I were newbies to this event. Christina Cook, who is the director of philanthropy at Providence Queen of the Valley Medical Center Foundation, long ago worked for COPE and with Aslanian Jenny to produce the first of these shows.
All proceeds from the Hopes’ Chest Fashion Show benefit Cope Family Center, and their critical work throughout Napa County to support and educate parents and families, nurture children, strengthen communities and prevent child abuse.
Hope’s Chest, based in Yountville, was founded by Aslanian Jenny as a business that features both vintage and new edgy fashion goods. Throughout the year her interesting and affordable finds can be purchased at local trunk shows.
Last weekend I discovered that while Cope is fighting daily for families, fights at the Hope’s Chest Fashion Show were unexpected, yet entertaining and fun!
The runway was a green lush lawn set with white chairs on either side for fashionistas to sit back and enjoy the show. Upon arrival we browsed tables of primarily vintage goods ranging from jewelry to purses to custom clothing, shoes and hats. Nothing was ordinary, run-of-the-mill stuff you would find online. Each piece was distinctive, a conversation piece, treasure or find.
Attendees were encouraged to find a seat and advised that one should be careful in selecting their location. When the lively background music was turned up, the first of many models appeared, each pumping up the crowd. All were adorned with plenty of accessories, jewelry, hats, scarves, bags and belts available for sale.
If you spotted something you wanted, you had to grab it off of the living, walking mannequin before someone else first got the goods! Those in the know, who had clearly attended before, were seated in the front rows. Others would jump up and dash across the lawn to be the first to grab an item.
I chatted with or spotted plenty of people from Yountville, St. Helena and Napa including Yountville Sun founder Sharon Stensaas; Yountville Sun columnist Myrna David; Yountville Sun columnist Susan Wiechers; Yountville Vice Mayor Robin McKee Cant; Yountville Parks and Recreation Director Samantha Holland; Marilyn Rappaport, Jeni Olsen, Laura Levy Shatkin, Ivy Zellmer, Whitney Diver McEvoy and Napa County supervisors Anne Cottrell and Joelle Gallagher.
It may sound a little crazy, and “fighting” is a strong word for this style of shopping, yet this interactive fashion event was enormously fun. I am always up for fighting for a fabulous cause!
For more information or to be added to the Hope’s Chest list, send an email to [email protected]. To reach out Cope Family Services to volunteer or seek assistance visit CopeFamilyCenter.org.
Photos submitted by Iren Aslanian Jenny, Robin McKee Cant and Lisa Adams Walter
