Lights. Camera. Fashion!

Like a major motion picture, producing a successful fashion show is a group effort, with many contributors playing their part to ensure the show will go on. This becomes clear when one looks through the virtual program for “An Affair to Remember,” the Marco Island Woman’s Club’s annual fashion show fundraiser.

The “credits” or acknowledgements listed a multitude of contributors in many different categories, from “our fabulous cast,” the models, to “co-directors” Sharyn Kampmeyer and Tammy Barstow. A sellout crowd of 184 ladies filled the dining room at Naples Lakes Country Club to overflowing for the fashion show. With the Academy Awards telecast coming up on March 15, the fashion show was a tribute to Hollywood and iconic motion pictures.

Movie posters, film reels, and clapper boards carried the theme throughout the dining room, and some of the attendees got into the spirit as well. Club president Sue Purvis came as Diane Keaton, one of at least a couple of Keatons, and Barstow took on Marilyn Monroe, pointing out that Marilyn, when she was still Norma Jean, started out brunette. Betsy Wohltman and Roxana Rascoe took home Oscars for their movie-themed outfits, with Rascoe sharing the details of what she went through to get into the dress. Wohltman and previous club president Maureen Chodaba, who was modeling in the show, both sported faux cigarettes as part of their look.

After lunch, featuring “Bubba Gump” roasted marinated shrimp and elegant chocolate-covered strawberries, it was “lights, camera, fashion.” Clothing came from Kay’s on the Beach, presented by Jeane Hilt, J. McLaughlin, presented by Liz Navarro, and the Naples Lakes pro shop, presented by Lori Dopslaff. The models made a number of quick changes and walked the “red carpet” in three different outfits. Each of the retailers showing the clothing made a point of offering discounts to the Woman’s Club members.

Perhaps the most popular model was the only male, Jeff Taylor, whose real estate group was also a major sponsor – not surprising with an audience of 184 females. Carol Ann Anzalone, who received credit in the program as “casting director” for assembling the models, was another standout.

Silent auction items also worked the “hooray for Hollywood” theme, with packages bearing names of an appropriate film – “Goldfinger” for a jeweler’s offering, “Gone With the Wind” for a travel package, “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” for a group of seven restaurant gift cards, and “Julie and Julia” for a catered luncheon for eight, for example.

The models, whose performances were definitely Oscar worthy, were Anne Marchetti, Carol Ann Anzalone, Debbie Silvestri, Linda Ann Ventura, Jeff Taylor, Joann Sergi, Joyce Frame, Maureen Chodoba, Rita Coyne, Tanya LaButte, and Terri Halpern. DJ Patrick Stratoti of Aace Entertainment – “with two A’s, to get our name first in the phone book” back when there was such a thing, he said – kept the music coming as the models showed their resort wear and dressy couture.

All money raised goes to the charitable work of the club, which supports many local causes and organizations. Dollars taken in from “An Affair to Remember” were not finalized at press time, but last year the Woman’s Club donated over $40,000 to 17 nonprofits, all in and around Marco Island.