Five models sashayed down the runway in dresses and hair accessories of pink, white and blue. Wren, 4, carried with her a furry white bunny bag full of pink and purple Easter eggs; Emmaline, 6, chose to add some flair to her outfit with cowboy boots. Laila, 9, chose a purse and a pretty beaded necklace for her flowery dress, while fellow 9-year-old Sofia opted for a white headband. Emma, 7, decided on simple elegance, a white and yellow daisy dress with a matching bracelet. All of the models had distinctive styles and personalities — but one overarching similarity: experiences with pediatric cancer.
The girls’ turn on the runway was part of the Venus Chapter of the Daughters of Penelope’s 22nd Annual Queen of Hearts High Tea, which this year benefited the Pediatric Cancer Fund at Levine Children’s Hospital. Taking place on February 17, the event was held at Carmel Country Club.
The young models, all former pediatric patients, took part in the tea’s fashion show, walking down the runway twice in outfits provided by Shower Me with Love, a local children’s boutique. Adults also took part in the show, modeling clothes provided by Chicos. WBTV’s Molly Grantham emceed the event, with help from daughter Parker.
Though the fashion runway was all about the fun, the tea also focused on the serious cause the event benefited, with attendees hearing from Emmaline’s mother, Julie, and Amii C. Steele, MD, a pediatric psychologist and hematology/oncology psychosocial manager at Levine Children’s Hospital.