Models on the deck of the Moshulu: Dr. Michelle Eisenhower, Frank Natale, Christina Furia, William Huff, Kelly Ciccarelli, Bobby Capocci, Krystal Gregorio, Austin West

2008 Steppin' Out South Philly Style Fashion Show

Date: Sunday, October 19, 2008

Where: The tall ship Moshulu

A sell-out crowd of more than 250 people packed the beautiful tall ship MOSHULU on Penn's Landing for fashion, cocktails and lunch in support of the Methodist Hospital Foundation.

View more images and sponsors from this event.

Read an excerpt here from "Fashion Cents" an article by South Philly Review Staff Writer Caitlin Meals on the 2008 Fashion Show...

"This is really a South Philly event for the Foundation," Diane Pirollo, vice president for community relations and foundation development, said. "We're using the shops and stores on Passyunk Avenue for all the fashions."

The four female and four male models also have local ties—four are students at Neumann-Goretti High School, 10th and Moore streets, while four are employees of Methodist Hospital.

"I am definitely not a model by trade," Michelle Eisenhower, M.D., associate chief medical officer for the Methodist campus of Jefferson Hospital and one of the show's models, said. "I'm probably a lot more comfortable with my stethoscope than I am on the runway, but we're all having a great time, and it's a very worthwhile cause."

Nine stores on the avenue outfitted the models: Aci Nae, Bianca Simone, Gigolo's, Show Barrel, A Man's Image, Pasquale Scioli, MIA Philadelphia, Harriet's Innterwear and Frankie's on the Avenue. Hair was done by Headhunters.

"We thought it was a really good event to do—it's for a good cause," Janae Didonato, co-owner of Aci Nae at 1928 E. Passyunk Ave., said.  "It puts the spotlight on East Passyunk Avenue. I think a lot of people in South Philly have a lot of style."

The groundwork of the runway show began coming together in the summer, fashion coordinator Lauren Raske said.

Each attendee was greeted with a mimosa at the event's noon start. Over four hours, a luncheon and socializing was capped by a 45-minute fashion show.

Pirollo was optimistic about the exposure for all involved. "We could have easily gotten someone like Macy's and just had them put their clothes up, but we didn't want to do that," she said.

"We wanted to keep it local in the community," Pirollo said of the fundraiser.