Vintage Fashion Show And Tea Benefits The Alexander Mansion

By Cynthia Smoot      Photography by John Brady and Deborah Brown

THE SETTING: The Queen of Hearts Vintage Fashion Show and Afternoon Tea was presented by the Dallas Woman’s Forum Fashion and Style Department. Steven Porterfield, of the Antiques Roadshow, traveled from his home base in Midland to produce this unique style show featuring fashions from the 1950s to the 1980s. To add to the evening’s festive atmosphere, with pandemic protocol in place, many guests came dressed in their favorite vintage frocks and accessories.

THE STYLE: The Ms. Senior World winners were in attendance and opened the program with a special segment emceed by Sherry Strother, the pageant’s executive director. The models were all members of the Fashion and Style Department of the Dallas Woman’s Forum and had visited Porterfield’s store, The Cat’s Meow in Midland, a few weeks prior to pick out their fashions for the event. The dresses were perfectly accessorized with hats, gloves, and beautiful jewelry, speaking to the elegance of the era.  

THE PURPOSE: When a severe winter storm blanketed the city, the show’s original date and location had to be changed due to the Alexander Mansion’s suffering severe damage from burst water pipes. The Chocolate Angel Café and Tea Room in Plano stepped up to host the event, and the fashionable proceeds went to help repair the beloved Alexander Mansion.