January 31, 2008

Junior League to host Leap Day fashion show

The Junior League of San Jose will host In Vogue, the League's 15th biennial Fundraising Fashion Show, on Friday, Feb. 29, at the Fairmont Hotel San Jose.

The event includes a luncheon and fashion show at 11 a.m. and a 5:30 p.m. gala dinner and fashion show.

Proceeds will be invested in projects that build better communities and help young children enter elementary school ready to learn and thrive.

In Vogue attendees will preview the latest fashions for modern families on the go. These fashions will take a family from yoga and soccer practice, to school, the office, weekend outings and even black-tie affairs. Featured designers include Azadeh, Anne Fontaine, Atelier, Brooks Brothers, Cache, Cole Haan, Eli Thomas, Macy's, Max Mara and Tiffany & Company.

Since its introduction in 1982, the Junior League of San Jose's Fashion Show has raised more than $2 million. Funds raised from this year's event will support the Junior League of San Jose's Community Program, which currently includes projects with the Children's Discovery Museum's Wonder Cabinet, the Bring Me a Book Foundation and the League's own Kids in the Kitchen program as well as other local nonprofit organizations.

The Junior League is committed to helping young children enter elementary school ready to learn and thrive by focusing its volunteer and financial resources on collaborative projects. These include projects that encourage children to explore, play and make their own discoveries, mentor teen parents finishing their education and provide support services to caregivers and their families in Santa Clara County.

"Research from Carnegie Corporation shows that all children are born ready and willing to learn, but as many as one-third of American children are entering kindergarten needing additional support to keep up with their peers," said Dawn Bussey, president of JLSJ. "In Vogue will raise critical funds for projects that help young children in the San Jose community enter elementary school ready to learn and, in time, succeed in school and then enter the workforce and be good parents."

Attendees at this year's fashion show will have a chance to win exciting prizes through five different showcase drawings, two live auctions and a silent auction. Prizes include a weekend golf and spa getaway, 49ers, Sharks and Giants tickets, a "green goddess" package, a wine country extravaganza, and a "tech lover's dream" package including an Apple iPhone and Nintendo Wii. One lucky person will win a luminescent Tahitian pearl necklace, valued at $10,000 and graciously donated by Vardy's Jewelers.

Tickets are on sale now. To purchase tickets, visit www.jlsj.org, or call the Junior League of San Jose at (408) 264-3058. Ticket prices per person are $85 for the lunch and $165 for the dinner.

The Junior League of San Jose is a nonprofit organization of women committed to developing the potential of women, promoting voluntarism, and improving our community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. During its nearly 40-year history, JLSJ has given almost $4 million to the community and its members contribute well over 25,000 hours of volunteer service every year.