By Maddy Vitale
They struck a pose, sashayed down the runway, showed off what’s hot for spring and summer, and pumped up the crowd at a fashion show Friday night to kick off Girls Weekend in Ocean City.
Business owners, residents and even City Council members showed off their threads at the cool event held at Glazed Over Studios, 704 Asbury Ave.
Ocean City Special Events Coordinator Michael Hartman co-hosted the show with Miss America 2018 Cara Mund.
“We are so excited. The show is a way to really showcase the clothing available at the Ocean City stores,” Hartman said. “It really is a great way to kick off the weekend.”
Both Hartman and Mund seamlessly relayed to the audience the descriptions of the clothing, blending their sense of style and humor.
Everything from rompers, to sundresses, the simple but so-couture black dress, and, yes, even a pair of daisy dukes graced the runway.
The fashion show launched what promises to be a weekend of fun. Events continue Saturday with discounts at stores and restaurant specials, and on Sunday there is a meet and greet with Miss America at Jon & Patty’s Coffee Shop and Bistro, 637 Asbury Ave., from noon to 2 p.m.
Girls Weekend is sponsored by the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce and keeps getting better, organizers said.
“Girls Weekend grows by leaps and bounds every year,” said Michele Gillian, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce. “It is such a vibrant event every year. It showcases all things you could do in Ocean City, from the shopping to the restaurants to the events.”
Participating shops for the fashion show as well as for Girls Weekend are: 7th Street Surf Shop, Making Waves, Sea Oats Children’s Shop, Ta-Dah, Hearth & Sole, Bohemian Mama, Seagrass Boutique, Colette and Animal House.
The children models wore beachwear that elicited a lot of “oohs and aahs” from the audience.
Members of City Council served as models for the adult fashions. Councilman Antwan McClellan with his twin cutout “Roger,” Councilman Mike DeVlieger with his skateboard, Councilman Tony Wilson carrying his Yeti tumbler and Councilman Keith Hartzell in his sporty attire enjoyed showing off their 7th Street Surf Shop duds.
Hartzell came with a very special “accessory” – Fletcher, his Yorkie, who was seriously dressed to impress. The pooch got extra kisses from Hartzell. “He was nervous,” Hartzell said.
Mund was not the only pageant winner at the event to wow the crowd. Miss New Jersey Kaitlyn Schoeffel modeled some spring and summer wear, as did Miss Ocean City Madison Leigh Kennelly and Junior Miss Ocean City Hope Aita.
Patty Talese, owner of Jon & Patty’s and head of the Downtown Merchants Association, hosted the fashion show. Talese started Girls Weekend three years ago, although she does not like to take credit for it.
“I had help,” Talese said. “We decided to do a fashion show as a great way to kick off the weekend. This is really a fantastic way to start the weekend.”
At the end of the fashion show people lined up for photos with Miss America and Miss New Jersey.
