Madison Ave of Melrose to Host Fashion Show Friday

Madison Ave. of Melrose is ramping up for their Who, What, Wear Spring Fashion Show Friday night to benefit the Melrose High School Scholarship Fund.

The fashion show is slated for 6:30-10 p.m. Friday at Mt. Hood Clubhouse. Tickets cost $30 and include a buffet dinner, and there will be a disc jockey, entertainment and raffles for items donated by local businesses.

For the second time in the past four years, the fashion show proceeds will support the scholarship fund, according to event organizer and lifelong Melrosian Joanne Cotton. The show has also raised money twice for Gathering Change Inc., a nonprofit organization that collects money from Melrose area communities to reinvest in local food pantries and social programs. 

"I like to give back to the community and my dad started it so it is near and dear to my heart," she said, adding that she went to Melrose High and her mother was a teacher in the system for 30 years. "Any student from the senior graduating class at Melrose High School who applies for a scholarship gets awarded something."

About 52 years ago, Cotton's father started the fund with a $200 check and since then millions of dollars have been invested in it.

Cotton discussed the plan for the fashion show.

"We have local models and nobody gets paid, as they volunter their time," she said. "We'll doing probably 1 1/2 to 2 hours of runway items from the store here."

Cotton said that the fashion show will feature models of varying sizes and ages wearing spring clothing that range in price. 

"I know I have a $400 dress that I am putting in that is extraordinary, but I also know that I have things from my sale rack that are probably $10," she said.

The clothing styles that will be on display are for generally geared toward people in their 20s through their 60s, according to Cotton.