SAUGERTIES, N.Y. — The Ulster County Italian-American Foundation is set to host its inaugural “Ciao Primavera Fashion Show” showcasing Italian fashion and craftsmanship, on Sunday, April 6, an announcement said.
The fashion show starts at 2 p.m. at Diamond Mills, 25 So. Partition St. It will feature a specially made 24-foot runway in the ballroom, a stage, narrators, two 60-inch screens, a slideshow, music, and 41 local models, the announcement said.
Four different collections will be on display in the fashion show. Beginning at 3:30 p.m., “Fatto a Mano,” (made by hand) garments created by foundation members using Italian patterns and materials, will be shown in honor of the region’s former sewing and textile industry. Another collection, “Shopping Treasures from Italy,” will see models sporting apparel that foundation members purchased in Italy. “Italian Fashion at Local Stores” will feature clothing and accessories from Hudson Valley retailers, and “Family Vintage” will showcase Italian-made clothing handed down through generations.
Rome-born fashion designer Francesca Liberatore is flying in from Italy for the event to showcase her recent designs and speak to attendees about contemporary Italian fashion, the announcement added.
The pre-show will see live entertainment and multiple displays in the lobby at Diamond Mills. They will include one by the BOCES fashion department and another highlighting Italian fabrics and patterns used in garments in the show. The Reher Center for Immigrant Culture and History is set to showcase an exhibit on the local garment industry. In addition, historical items presented by The Italian American Museum in New York City and the American Italian Heritage Museum and Cultural Center in Albany will be on display.
“We want people to learn something and leave with a new understanding or a broadened appreciation for not only the history of Italian fashion and the role Italian Americans played in the garment industry in Kingston but also for what’s around us in our local stores,” Mary Ann Forgey, retired Fordham University professor and fashion show coordinator, said in a statement. “Hopefully, some will be inspired to take up sewing or knitting or creating with their hands. We hope people walk away more fully understanding the role of Italian craftsmanship in this culture and the importance of holding onto things that help you remember and honor the past.”
Tickets to the fashion show, which include lunch, are $81.88 per person and $119.22 for VIP seating. Doors open at 1:45 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit ucitalianamericanfoundation.org.
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