Photograph by Jon Cancelino

Co-chairs Jane Whitesides and Sue Heimlich

Within the Michigan Shores Club of Wilmette, community members and friends will draw together for the Winnetka Board of the Northwestern Settlement’s 84th annual fashion show on September 30. This year’s event, “Style Under the Stars,” begins at 6:30 p.m., when guests can enjoy wine, passed hors d’oeuvres, and a light buffet. The New York-style fashion show will begin around 7:45 p.m., with stunning trends from local designers and shops. In addition to notable men’s, women’s, and children’s fashions, the show will also feature stylish pet clothing from Noah’s Ark Pet Supply in Winnetka, as modeled by local four-legged “professionals.” Following the fashion show, the evening will conclude with coffee and dessert.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the Northwestern Settlement House, which has been providing educational programs and services for low-income neighbors since 1891. The settlement house, located in West Town on the corner of Augusta and Noble, offers programs such as English as a Second Language (ESL) and Head Start, and provides after-school care and placement in job training programs. As Winnetka Board members and “Style Under the Stars” co-chairs, Sue Heimlich, Donna Proskine, and Jane Whitesides understand the importance of these programs. “The settlement is very good at providing an emotional rock for these families, as they’re trying to make a better life,” Jane says.

Over the years, the settlement has expanded its programs to include important educational ventures such as Rowe Elementary Charter School, which now includes kindergarten, first, and second grades. Because the Winnetka Board is presenting its 84th annual fashion show, the settlement is also unique in that it is a time-honored tradition which generations of community members have chosen to support. In some cases, a mother, daughter, and now granddaughter or grandson have been involved with charitable efforts for the settlement. “To have three generations who believe so strongly in something is really quite a commentary about the settlement and what they’re doing,” Sue says.

To reserve tickets for the “Style Under the Stars” fashion show, visit www.nush.org/style. For more information, call 773-278-7471, ext. 328, or e-mail [email protected].