The Little Couture Show That Could

A dream…exuberance of young talent…risk taking…community support, and voila! You have couture designed by two energetic, self-taught early 20 year olds introduced in a show that they produced to benefit the peoples of far-away Haiti. Here’s how the story of the show unfolds. A few months before, Bilaya Jackson (age 21) and Me’lisa Matthews (age 22) were directed to stop in at the Delavan Art Gallery, across the way from the fabric store the pair often traded at. With their small portfolio of sketches in hand, they met gallery director Bill Delavan who was impressed with their work and encouraged them to continue.

Not very long after that first visit, the girls returned to the gallery and booked the venue for a show in which they would introduce their own unique couture. The show date was March 12, 2010, just two months away and leaving barely enough time to create and finish designs for models to wear. The heavy task had to be squeezed in between work at local nursing homes and numerous meetings of counseling on how to start and promote a special event, much less to tout the start of a new business.

The night of March 12 finally arrived (a little too soon for several of those involved in helping Bilaya and Me’lisa). The gallery itself was transformed into a professional runway as low white platforms were placed throughout gallery spaces under the capable hands of director Bill Delavan and manager Caroline Szodza-McGowan, each platform surrounded by group seating with tulle-netted mini refreshment tables centered among the groupings and proper lighting installed in the overhangs above.

Admission fee was $15 and family, friends and the public began filing in as soon as the door opened. Within minutes, gallery staff had to set up more chairs beyond the 75 already in place. And still, audience kept coming until the gallery was filled to capacity with many standing in the ‘aisles.’ At precisely 8:05 pm, the program got underway. Bill Delavan welcomed everyone, recognized co-chairs Van and Linda Robinson and introduced the evening’s MC, Maureen “Moe” Harrington who first introduced Joseph Slavik, President, Catholic Charities and Community Services and Diocesan Director, Haiti Relief Fund. Then “Moe” called Bilaya and Me’lisa to the podium to be recognized before each of the girl’s couture designs were unveiled.

In every bit of the showman style for which she is theatrically known, “Moe” began the runway show, starting with Bilaya’s first segment of Billie Dreams Couture titled, “A Soldier’s Story.” Then came Me’lisa’s first segment of JEMA Couture, “Glamrock.” Second show segments followed with Bilaya’s “Concrete Jungle” and Me’lisa’s “Everything That Glitters.” Gorgeous, tall models slowly strutted and pivoted the runway, giving an appreciative audience time to savor the unique colors, fabrics and designs.

Rewarding gratitude for the night’s success came in many forms. First, there was the experience of seeing the joy and pride of family members who brought bouquets of flowers, and the tears of an older brother who had come to cheer on the only male model in the show who designed the jeans he wore. All food was graciously donated, including luscious gourmet chocolate truffles, Irish Soda Bread, brownies, veggie dips, fruit, soda, coffee and an assortment of exotic teas. However, the crowning reward and gratitude came a few days later when Bishop Robert Cunningham recognized Bilaya’s and Me’lisa’s efforts at a press conference marking the presentation of a gift to the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Director of Catholic Relief Services. The check totaled $650,000, collected from diocesan parishioners and including the net proceeds of $1,020 raised by the ‘little couture show that could”… and did!

        

Gloria Romeo, Public Relations Coordinator                 
Photos provided by Adrienne DeWitt