Models rock the runway at the Erma & Louise Fall Fashion Show
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- Published on Friday, October 21, 2016
Photo by Miranda Leybourne. Louise Kostenchuk was one of the models in the Erma & Louise Fashion Show, hosted by Neepawa retailer Kerreen’s Clothing. The event, which featured fabulous fall fashions, was also a fundraiser for Central Plains Cancer Services.
By Miranda Leybourne
Neepawa Banner
Glitz and glamour seemed to be the theme of the night at the Erma & Louise Fall Fashion Show at Kerreen’s Clothing, on Oct. 13.
More than 50 people attended the show, put on by store owner Maureen Turner and named after the late Erma Stuart, who passed away in late September after battling cancer valiantly, and Louise Kostenchuk, whose continued fight against the disease has inspired so many.
The tribute show raised money via a silver collection for Central Plains Cancer Services (CPCS), with executive director of the organization Sherilyn Knox in attendance.
“Events like this mean everything because we are a grassroots organization,” says Knox. “We support 72 communities and Neepawa is one of the larger communities in our area, so it’s really nice to see people putting on events where they’re raising funds that can go towards what we do.”
CPCS brings education and resources to cancer patients and provides rides for people to their treatment destinations.
“In 2016 we’ve already provided over 600 rides to cancer patients, so donations tonight go towards that,” Knox explains.
While helping support a great cause, all the ladies in attendance also got to see some fabulous new fall fashions as the models strutted their stuff on the runway. In addition, there were delicious home baked desserts and other refreshments.
Tami Johnson drove in from Erickson with her mother and three sisters, and says it was the perfect girls night out.
“It was great. I really enjoyed it,” Johnson says. “It’s a great fundraiser. It’s nice to have a cup of coffee and some dessert and get to see all the clothes.”
All the models dazzled on the runway, but one star who shone particularly brightly was none other than Louise Kostenchuk, one of the ladies whom the show was named after. She showed off her personal style in a dynamic red sweater and stylish black pants and later wowed the crowd in a gorgeous little black dress. For her part, she says, she enjoyed every minute of the evening.
“When I was a little girl, I always wanted to be a model,” she confides. “I like to show off fashion, I like clothes. I like colours.”
Fashion is something, Kostenchuk says, that has helped her feel her best during her cancer treatments, because it helps her feel strong and positive.
“I think that’s why I’m a survivor,” she notes. “You have to have a positive attitude and take one day at a time.”
Kostenchuk says she was pleasantly surprised when she heard that Maureen was naming the show, in part, after her.
“I was really taken aback by it,” she remembers. “I was reading about [it] and as I was reading I saw my name, and I kind of teared up a little bit. I was overwhelmed. It was so nice.”
