The Woman’s Board at Rush University Medical Center made donating look good at their 88th annual fashion show, Imagine. Held on October 2nd at the Morgan Manufacturing space in the West Loop, money raised went towards installing state-of-the-art intra-operative imaging technology at the Rush Medical Center. This would be the first center in Chicago to have this advanced technology to aid the nationally recognized neurosurgeons at Rush, including Dr. Lorenzo Munoz and Dr. Richard Bryne.
Starting in 1884, The Woman’s Board is the single largest donor to the Rush Medical Center with this event being the longest continuously running charitable fashion show in the nation. The idea for the show came from Mrs. Hathaway Watson and Mrs. Frank Hibbard after they attended a few charity shows in France in 1927. Over $16 million have been raised to date with expectations of making $500,000 per show in recent years. The show has been hosted by some incredible venues, like the Stevens Hotel, Civic Opera House, Orchestra Hall, and Medinah Hall.
With styles from Belle Vie, Calypso St. Barth, CH Carolina Herrera, Chalk, Neapolitan, Max Mara, Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren, Vineyard Vines, Wilfred Nerman, and The Lake Forest Shop (who have been dressing this show since 1927), Imagine continued the tradition of having the best looks for a cause. The catwalk this year saw the likes of Chicago locals and “who’s who” of Woman’s Board supporters, a few Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bears, actors, and America’s Next Top Model among our very own co-founder and President, Sonat Birnecker Hart.
Before she was co-founding and operating all things KOVAL, Sonat had a career as an international model. From there, she was an international professor for years before deciding to open up Chicago’s first distillery since Prohibition. She felt right at home and had some fun revisiting her model persona. She was in fashion campaigns for Triumph International, Piazza Simpione, Austin Reed, Castro, Wella, Emporio Armani, John Franco Ferre, Marks and Spencers, Scandanavian Airlines and even more. Prints and Runway all over Europe as well as a small part in a film were all part of her previous work.
“It was great to feel as if a catwalk is still possible after motherhood,” said Sonat of her return to modeling after a few career and lifestyle changes, including the birth of her two sons. She looked like she had never left modeling as she walked in the beautiful Chalk designed gown and coat.
Sonat and KOVAL were honored to be a part of the evening as a model and a cocktail. We look forward to many more years of giving and style. “Fashion salutes ideals of beauty, glamour, and fun,” said Sonat after the show. “The Rush Fashion Show not only rejoices in these elements, it is also a chance for our community to come together to make a difference in the lives of others by supporting life, health, and hope of many celebrations to come.”
