Champagne Fashion Brunch Pleasant Surprise in New York City

Champagne Fashion Brunch ® : Each Time a Pleasant Surprise in New York City

Fashion show producer Andres Aquino steps before the audience and in a resonating voice, without the benefit of a microphone, says, “I have a special announcement to make…” An expectant air settles over the audience. “…At today’s Champagne Fashion Brunch we are pleased to welcome a special guest. You have seen her in musical films such as “Oklahoma”, “The Music Man” and “Carousel”. She won an Academy Award for her role in “Elmer Gantry” and has her own start on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, She is loved by millions for her role as the mother on TV’s “The Partridge Family” and in real life she is mom to actor and entertainer David Cassidy and writer, producer, and actor Shaun Cassidy, and actor and singer Patrick Cassidy… Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome actress Shirley Jones and her daughter-in-law Melissa Cassidy.” The audience breaks into thunderous applause and Ms. Jones stands to take a bow.

The audience is delighted to be able to enjoy a couture fashion show and delicious brunch in the company of an entertainment industry legend.

Andres Aquino with Shirley Jones and Melissa Cassidy

When Second Wind Dreams, a Canadian organization, contacted Mr. Aquino about granting a dream to octogenarian Mary Witt, Mr. Aquino responded with an enthusiastic yes and set to work. He contacted Russian-born designer Lilia Berzon and asked her if she would be interested in making a special couture gown to be modeled on the runway for a special lady. “Today, we are happy to welcome a very special model to our runway at the Champagne Fashion Brunch,” so began the producer of the event soon after appeared a model who had been waiting over 71 years from her last casting call to parade down the catwalk. Mary Witt, 86, had always dreamed of being in a New York fashion show. She wore a beautiful blue-green gown designed by Lilia Berzon. Escorted in her wheelchair by a dashing male model, Ms. Witt waved at everyone as she came down the runway making her long-awaited yet triumphant debut. Mary Witt came to New York at age the age 16 and was turned down for runway modeling because at only 5’9”, she was an inch too short of the agency standard at the time. But in August of 2005, during a whirlwind 24 hours, Ms. Witt was featured on the CBS Sunday Morning show, UPN 9 News, in the New York Daily News and most importantly, she was the darling of the catwalk. She returned to her excited co-residents at a home for seniors in Alabama with a suitcase filled with unforgettable memories along with that spectacular couture gown.

Red dress by Lilia Berzon at Champagne Fashion Brunch ® New York. Photo by Udo R

Andres Aquino presents Mary Witt with a poster of a Harlequin book cover.
Ms. Witt posed for the book cover during her print modeling career.

Each time the Champagne Fashion Brunch takes place is a special event. Whether it is a lucky teenager arriving for her Sweet 16 party in a stretch limousine with her 12 best girlfriends and being surprised by photographers snapping away like paparazzi at the giggling teens; or a group of catwalk models pausing to sing a chorus of “Happy Birthday” to a guest; or even some pre-show entertainment by a Puerto Rican singer who sounds just like Frank Sinatra, this unique event has become a gathering ground for fashionistas from California to Montreal, from Michigan to Dallas and a must-see for many travelers from England, Australia, Japan, Norway, Canada, Argentina and other countries. The Champagne Fashion Brunch continues to gain in popularity with the showing of exceptional fashion collections on the runway and a discerning audience who are encouraged to purchase what is shown on the runway right at the show.

The schedule for the fashion shows features designers from around the world. Held on selected Sundays all year long, the event is a platform for creative makeup artists, stylists, and beautiful models to appear on the runway in sophisticated New York City. The audience enjoys great food and a professional fashion show along with fine champagne (non-alcoholic beverages always available). The series of fashion shows also serve as a prelude to Couture Fashion Week where an array of international designers presents their latest collections to the press and upscale buyers.

More information and tickets to the Champagne Fashion Brunch® shows as well as designers participation information are available online at www.usafashionshows.com

Model on the catwalk at Champagne Fashion Brunch ® New York Dress by Andres and outwear by Kosta Gagasoulis. Photo by John Perez

High resolution photos and literature about the designers are available to the press upon request. Other fashion shows by USA International Fashion Shows include Couture Fashion Week and the Luxury Fashion Shows at selected venues. MEET the designers. SHOP right off the runway.
Open to the Public. Tickets to the shows.

Photos above USA International Fashion Shows team: Udo R and John Perez

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(c) USA International Fashion Shows.

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