By Lauren Zaepfel
Tribune Editor
A local business owner will offer a new twist to her annual fashion show.
Holly Rankie, of Webster Street's Hip Gypsy, will present her first Mother Earth celebration fashion show complete with live music and food from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6, at Webster's Bistro, 102 Webster St., North Tonawanda.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Wild Kritters of Niagara County. The organization, which helps rehabilitate injured and orphaned wildlife, will have volunteers on hand to answer questions - and present some owls.
With rehabilitation organizations like Wild Kritters, "the animals that they rescue are so worthwhile," Rankie said. "People don't realize how important that is."
Although Rankie has held fashion show events in the past, this year's celebration will be the first to feature an overall nature theme.
"Nature is a big part of my life and also ecology, and Mother Nature and all the gifts that we're given that sometimes we take for granted," Rankie explained.
During the fundraising event, representatives from Wild Kritters will be on hand with some of the animals cared for by the organization.
Fashions from Hip Gypsy and other local shops, including Michele's Motif and Miss Josie's Antiques, will be featured, along with wearable art by Mary Grace Ohrum and Jzino.
Webster's Bistro will serve its French cuisine. Plate options include chicken francaise, a pan-fried, egg-battered boneless chicken breast with artichokes in a lemon-butter white wine sauce over parmesan risotto; shrimp penne featuring sundried tomatoes in a white wine cream sauce; and Webster's Beef Bourguignon, which includes stewed beef with vegetables, herbs and spices. Beignets, a French dough pastry topped with powdered sugar, will be served for dessert. Entrees will be accompanied with an assorted mixed green salad and fresh breads. Coffee, tea and iced tea will also be available.
Besides dining and checking out fashion trends, visitors can also enjoy music by Ed Koban, who will play his Native American flute while accompanied by an acoustic band.
Michele Krienbuhl, owner of Michele's Motif on Webster Street, said the event provides "good exposure for my store, for all of us down here. And it's a lot of fun; it breaks up the monotony. It's not like an everyday thing."
Along with helping draw business to the area, Krienbuhl said the event also benefits customers because "they get to see everything we have, and doing it with Holly is nice because they can see how we can mix and match our stuff together."
She explained, "Sometimes I don't have the finishing touch to the piece, they come down here (to Hip Gypsy) and they can finish it, and vice versa."
Indeed, Rankie also said the event serves as a way to give back to her customers.
"People love it; they ask me about it (the fashion show) every year; and I just want to give back a really nice afternoon to them," she said.
In fact, Rankie said, "A lot of the girls that are in this show, the models, are my customers. They have fun and they've been with me for six years."
Tickets for the Mother Earth celebration fashion show cost $45. Seating is limited. For tickets, call Hip Gypsy at 716-260-1313 or Michele's Motif at 716-957-4900.