History-rich Ebony Fashion Fair returns

Kimberley McGee

Friday, March 22, 2002 | 2:50 a.m.

Ebony Fashion Fair

WEEKEND EDITION

In 1964 the Ebony Fashion Fair was the highlight of the Las Vegas Alpha Rho chapter of the Gamma Phi Delta sorority's season.

Over the years such notables as Jesse Jackson and Muhammad Ali lunched with the ladies of the fashion show and admired the latest in designer clothes.

It continues today as a respected tradition in a tight-knit community.

"There's no show quite like it in Las Vegas," said Ruby Garland, member of Alpha Ro since 1963. "It's our drawing card. People come from L.A. to attend. Everyone is there."

The annual Ebony Fashion Fair takes place March 31 at Texas Station. The $50 ticket price includes a luncheon.

"We try to be role models for black youngsters in the community," Garland said. "They've got to see what other people are doing, and the show brings everything, everyone, together."

Alpha Rho was the first black sorority in Las Vegas, as Garland noted. From the beginning the members of Alpha Rho intended to be an inspiration to young people in the community.

The Ebony Fashion Show had gained a reputation as an elegant, professional show featuring beautiful models.

"We knew everyone who was someone would turn out for this show," Garland said. "We knew it would be a good fund-raiser."

Sponsored by Ebony magazine, the show features fashions chosen by Eunice Johnson, producer and director of the Ebony Fashion Fair since its inception in 1958.

Clothes from designers such as Givenchy, Valentino, Emanuel Ungaro and black designers B. Michael, de Alexander and Wayne James will highlight this year's two-hour show.

Each dress can cost up to $200,000, which does not include wide-brimmed hats, elegant shoes and other colorful accessories.

The annual traveling fashion show begins in New York City and travels to 180 cities from September through May.

The proceeds from the show nationwide have netted $48 million for education programs such as the United Negro College Fund.

"That's our concentration, fund-raising," Garland said. "We are all about helping the community."

Locally, the show is the sorority's largest fund-raiser. The sorority receives $19 from each ticket, which benefits the Home of the Good Shepherd and the Las Vegas Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. For the fourth consecutive year proceeds will benefit local radio station KCEP 88.1-FM.

The women of the sorority continue to funnel funds and support into the community throughout the year, said Ida Gaines, a member since 1982 and co-chairwoman of the event. But it's the fashion show that has always enticed the public to contribute.

"This show supports so many wonderful things we are doing," Gaines said. "It's not just a fashion show, it's quite a help to what we are trying to do."