Bargain Basket Fashion Show

By Samantha Husted
sam@coastalbreezenews.com

Forget outlet prices, think BB prices.

The Bargain Basket has been on Marco Island for a long time. Like, almost half a century long. The shop opened about 41 years ago in 1975, and is the one and only thrift store that is located on the island. It operates as a mission of the United Church of Marco Island (UCMI) and is powered by dedicated volunteers. The money raised at the thrift shop goes towards the many local and global organizations that the church supports. Each year, for almost as long as the Bargain Basket has been open, UCMI has hosted an annual fashion show and luncheon in order to showcase Bargain Basket’s stylish, yet affordable apparel while also raising money towards those different missions.

On February 18th, the annual fashion show and luncheon kicked off at UCMI. The popular

event drew a large crowd of mostly women, all of whom were there to support the church in its efforts to raise funds, and, of course, to check out the brand names that the Bargain Basket offers for a fraction of the price. There was fashion, music, tons of raffle prizes, food provided by Kretch’s, and a performance by Fanny Frugal (Judy Daye). Judy has been performing as Fanny Frugal, a thrifty fashionista who makes her clothing out of recycled materials, for over 20 years. This year she went trash bag couture. Her outfit made use of shredded paper, plastic bags, duct tape, and she even had a basket fashioned into a hat.

The models worked the runway as if they were walking for a Givenchy or Chanel fashion show. They would do a twirl here, a pose there, and would

even get into character if the clothes warranted it. Model Ken Kozlowski walked the show decked out in a leather biker outfit, embodying a tough guy persona. Other models included: Lou Bash, Janice Farrell, Lois Kirk, Jane Newcomer, Carolyn Wade and Barbara Malta.

This year the proceeds from the fashion show went to Grace Place, a nonprofit organization focused on providing children and their families in Collier County with life and language skills.

In this past year alone, UCMI was able to raise over $100,000 that was donated to the various organizations they support. These organizations include: Meals of Hope, the Shelter for Abused Women and Children, the Marco Island YMCA, Habitat for Humanity, Echo, Grace Place, Liberty Youth Ranch, Marketplace Mission Learning Center, Harry Chapin Food Bank, St. Matthews house, Neighborhood Health Clinic, Family Church Benevolence Fund, Manatee Elementary and the Marco Island Academy.