“The Marilyn Effect” Takes Over a Fort Worth Art Gallery For Fashion Show With Abraham Alexander, Mayor Mattie Parker, and Puppies

This fall, fashion and art collided with The Marilyn Effect Fashion Show, presented by Gallery of Dreams, at Fort Works Art Gallery in Fort Worth.

The event was a reminder that you don’t have to rent out a hall or hotel ballroom to gather Fort Worthians for a good cause. Organized by Wild Silks’ Christi Braswell and Fort Works Art owner Lauren Saba, the fashion runway show commemorated the 100th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe’s birth.

As the lights dimmed in the packed gallery space, local notables donning silhouettes from Forty Five Ten, M.L. Leddy’s, and Wild Silks took to the runway, accessorized with Jo Latham Fine Jewelry and Jenya Renée handbags. Models paused in front of a large backdrop image of the iconic actress and model who set the standard for Hollywood glamour before circling backstage to change.

The evening’s models included — gestures grandly — Mayor Mattie Parker, Oscar nominee Abraham Alexander, Bowie House’s Treasure Maddox Hannah, stylist Bonnie Smith, and several other well-known locals. Hannah dazzled with an early runway look featuring a sculptural cape coat with dramatic button detailing, while Smith donned a polka-dot bow top with wide-leg trousers, drawing applause and hoots.

And then came the puppies.

The evening that saw adoptable pups join models on the runway benefited Saving Hope Rescue and Gallery of Dreams. Co-organizer Braswell tells PaperCity the event served a “bigger purpose.”

“I really didn’t want a runway full of traditional models. I wanted people with personalities and stories — people you recognize because they’re actually part of this community. Treasure was an immediate yes for me. She has incredible style, she’s accomplished, she’s fun, and she has that presence where you notice her when she walks into a room. Mayor Mattie Parker and extraordinary hometown musical talent Abraham Alexander saying yes made the whole thing even more special.”

Off the Runway and Into the Party

Like any great show, this one had one heck of an after-party. After catching up with artist Katie Murray, Hotel Drover’s Amberly Sisneros, and Saba, it was time to make new friends. Susan Maddox was as charming as her reputation, and I have Jenya Renée Felder to thank for shaking hands with our mayor, who makes time for events like these while being a tireless champion for this city.

I may have rubbed elbows with Studio 74 Vintage’s owner Laura Simmons, only to officially meet her days later at her store, while CATES Caviar co-owner Caitlin Faubion bumped (ha!) into me after our video chat the day before. Yong Wang, co-founder and CEO of New York City-based Lost Pattern New York, flew from the Big Apple just for the show and to support Braswell. He complimented Fort Worth’s culture of mutual support, which he found particularly noteworthy about our city.

Fort Worth does remain this funny town where familiar names quickly become familiar faces.

Behind the Silk Curtain

During the show, the backstage was a dizzying production managed by Forty Five Ten’s Lundy Johnson and Madeline Choruby. Reflecting on the evening that led to three potential puppy adoptions (fingers crossed!) and $2,000 raised for Saving Hope, Saba says the energy was incredible.

“Christi put so much into making the night special, and watching the gallery transform was pretty fantastic. I loved seeing all of the different creative worlds in our city coming together and all of the new people that came through the doors. This is exactly the kind of night I look forward to at Fort Works Art!”

We caught up with Braswell after the event. She emphasized that supporting art, charities, and fashion requires “showing up.”

“Support doesn’t always mean buying a major piece of art. Visit the gallery. Bring a friend. Tell your family. Attend an opening. Share an artist you discover. And, when you can, buy the art. The same is true for our local boutiques, restaurants, designers, entrepreneurs, and women-owned businesses. We can’t say we want more art, fashion, and creative experiences in Fort Worth without supporting the people doing the work to make them possible.”

Her goal is to see our city offer more nights to get dressed up, discover something new, support local businesses, and have a ridiculous amount of fun together.

Here in Fort Worth, she adds, “We’re pretty good at that.”

PC Seen: Robbie Baker, Olivia and Jeff Kearney, Stephen Mallick, Jim and Jackie Snyder, James and Conor Rainbolt, Julie and Jay Hayes, Amber Coker, John Zimmerman, Piper Pardue, Drew Baker, Rima Shrestha, Heather Celest Dyer, and J.W. and Andrea Wilson.