Over 40 girls from across Michigan, including eight from Clarkston, will participate in the second annual American Girl Fashion Show Nov. 19 and 20.
The show is based on the popular children’s book and doll series about young girls growing up in different periods of American history. Participants are in costumes from the various eras featured in the books and dolls.
‘If your daughter, granddaughter or niece is an American Girl Doll fan, this is the perfect opportunity to see their favorite dolls come to life on stage through this fashion show,? said Leah McLean. McLean, a Clarkston resident, is one of the organizers of the show and a founding member of the show’s sponsor, Friends of Suzette.
Friends and family of Suzette Herskovitz founded the group after Herskovitz passed away from breast cancer at the age of 32 in 2001. The group wants to raise $50,000 for Gilda’s Club of Metro Detroit, a branch of the national cancer support group named after comedian Gilda Radner. The money will go towards the endowment of an art room for the organization, which has a clubhouse in Royal Oak.
McLean said her daughters ? Emma, 8 and Lily, 7 ? participated last year, and again this year. McLean said the show is fun and has a noncompetitive atmosphere.
‘The show provides an entertaining and educational look at how generations of American girls have used clothing to express their own unique style and personality,? McLean said.
Other Clarkston girls participating in this year’s show are Isabelle Wittebort, 6; Phoebe Morris, 9; Emma Morris, 7; Samantha Steger, 9; Morgan Kanigowski, 6; and Ally Reynolds, 6.
Samatha’s mother, Aymee Steger, said her daughter is a big fan of the doll and book series and they went to last year’s show as spectators. This year, Samantha will participate as the character ‘Samantha,? from the American Girl book series, whose story begins in 1904.
‘She’s very excited about it,? Steger said. Steger added that one of the nice things about the show is education. Steger said during the show, narration provides the audience with information about life during the featured eras in American history.
Steger said she and Samantha thought participating in the show would be fun while supporting a good cause.
Kelly Kanigowksi, Morgan’s mother, said her daughter will feature clothing from ‘Bitty Baby,? a more contemporary series of American Girl dolls. Kanigowksi said the draw of this show was her daughter’s interest in the doll series and the desire to help out a charity.
‘Anytime we can help out a charity like that, we love to participate,? Kanigowksi said. ‘It’s a wonderful experience for her to build self-confidence and to participate in something that makes a difference.?
A light meal is included with every show. Visitors can also win door prizes, raffles and souvenirs.
The show take place at the Sheraton Detroit Novi in Novi. Two shows are scheduled for both days: 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 19 and 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 20. Tickets are $30. For more information on tickets, call Leah McLean at 248-620-9515 or e-mail Debbie Bienstock at dbienstock@twmi.rr.com.