Photos: Fashion show raises more than $175K for Alaska nonprofit

All proceeds from the show will be donated to Let Every Woman Know-Alaska, a nonprofit that offers women resources to help prevent gynecologic cancers.

By Emily Mesner
Updated: January 30, 2023 Published: January 30, 2023

Models wearing Kotzebue designer Danielle Rock’s garments walk the runway to open the Trend Alaska Fashion Show in Anchorage on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023. (Emily Mesner / ADN)

This year’s Trend Alaska fashion show helped raise more than $175,000 for Let Every Woman Know-Alaska, a nonprofit that offers women resources to help prevent gynecologic cancers.

The show, Saturday night, featured the work of 16 designers, from ages 15 to 70 and representing a large swath of the state from Kotzebue to Ketchikan.

Models showcased wearable art and a variety of clothing, including fur-lined garments, parkas, dresses and accessories like suitcases and an umbrella.

Mary Rita Ely, an ovarian cancer survivor and retired Service High School teacher, was an audience highlight as she modeled a fur coat that belonged to LEWK supporter Ellie Burnett. She died from ovarian cancer in 2022. The coat was auctioned for $6,500.

[Earlier: 16 Alaska designers are joining forces for a fundraising fashion show]

Ovarian cancer survivor Mary Rita Ely models a fur coat up for auction. (Emily Mesner / ADN)

A model wearing a gown up for auction stands next to David Carp as he looks for bidders. (Emily Mesner / ADN)

Sarah DeVolld models a gown she made. (Emily Mesner / ADN)

Models pose to show off Joel Loosli’s designs as they walk the runway on Saturday. The model on the right is wearing clothing with ribbon colors that represent the five gynecologic cancers: ovarian cancer, uterine/endometrial cancer, cervical cancer, vulvar cancer and vaginal cancer. (Emily Mesner / ADN)

A model poses at the end of the runway while wearing Joel Loosli’s designs. (Emily Mesner / ADN)

Audience members enjoy the auctions. (Emily Mesner / ADN)

Designer Sandra McMillian holds up a heart to the audience after showing her collection. (Emily Mesner / ADN)

People peak behind curtains to watch auctions. (Emily Mesner / ADN)

A model shows off a fur hood as she walks the runway in designer Elie Bishikwabo’s clothing. (Emily Mesner / ADN)

Designer Elie Bishikwabo waves to the crowd after showing his collection. (Emily Mesner / ADN)

An Alaska Airlines executive cheers after auction items were bid on during the Trend Alaska Fashion Show. (Emily Mesner / ADN)

People model Mountain Momma clothing. (Emily Mesner / ADN)

A model walks down the runway wearing a dress designed by Shea Zahedi. (Emily Mesner / ADN)

Attendees watch a model enter the runway wearing designer Shelly Wright’s clothing. (Emily Mesner / ADN)

Designer Shelly Wright takes the runway after presenting her collection. (Emily Mesner / ADN)

A model poses at the end of the runway and brings out an umbrella as she wears Joel Loosli’s garments and accessories. (Emily Mesner / ADN)

A model walks down the runway showcasing wearable art, named “Let The Light Shine In” from designer Sandra McMillian. (Emily Mesner / ADN)

Emily Mesner

Emily Mesner is a multimedia journalist for the Anchorage Daily News. She previously worked for the National Park Service at Denali National Park and Preserve and the Western Arctic National Parklands in Kotzebue, at the Cordova Times and at the Jackson Citizen Patriot in Jackson, Michigan.