ICSC joins golf course for fashion show

  • Published
  • By Lori Burling Alves
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs volunteer
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Everybody line-up! The fashion show is about to start! Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors, Donna Karan, Calvin Klein .... Bill Anderson? 

The 2007 "Bill Anderson Collection" was unveiled Thursday night during the Incirlik Combined Spouses Club Swingin' Good Time party at the Hodja Lakes Golf Course. ICSC social chairs Karen Brown and Lori Alves teamed up with golf course manager Bill Anderson for an evening fashion show to display the newest women's clothing line now available in the pro shop. The event, held on the patio of the golf course, included a social hour with food and drinks, a putting contest and a fashion show -- complete with a red-carpet runway. 

"The idea just kind of popped into my head. We've had an increased number of ladies who have taken Link Up to Golf, a week-long program offered by the golf course staff aimed to teach the game to new golfers, and have stuck with the to improve their skill level. The pro shop really didn't have many options for the ladies, so they were limited to buying men's clothes," said Mr. Anderson, who emceed the show. "I felt there was a real opportunity to purchase clothes that are designed for women, and our customer base would appreciate this. The fashion show was a vehicle for us to showcase the golf course and its products to a specific group that may not come out to see us as often as we would like." 

More than 50 club members and guests attended the event and dined on dishes such as curry chicken salad, Thai chicken, shrimp wrapped in ham and Caprese salads, all catered by the Incirlik Combined Club. 

"The spouses club was really excited to help Bill when he came to us with the idea. It was nice to have an event at a venue that we hadn't used before. It proved to be a beautiful evening with perfect weather," said Karen Brown, ICSC social co-chair.
Mr. Anderson and Mrs. Brown didn't miss a putt. From centerpieces made of Astroturf and old golf grips to luminaries lining the course -- the club was transformed into an elegant scene. Models strutted down a red carpet to a platform built underneath a white tent, and attendees watched from white chairs. Spotlights highlighted each of the 15 models, which included members from ICSC and the golf course staff. 

"Bill did a great job introducing the ladies," said Mrs. Brown. "He gave a few interesting facts about each of them, which allowed for club members to get to know a little more about their fellow spouses." 

Ann Taylor was the first model to purr across the catwalk. Decked out in white capri pants, a pink collared shirt and a white cashmere sweater tied around her neck, Mrs. Taylor strutted her stuff while carrying a pink golf bag. 

"I would have to say the evening was absolutely fabulous," said Mrs. Taylor, donning a straw golf hat accented with a pink scarf and pearls. "Our ICSC social directors, the club staff and the golf course staff all came together to put on a first-class event. It was a perfect benchmark of the kind of fun-filled social activities which lie ahead for us this year. The social chairs are putting a lot of sparkle into our club." 

While displaying the collection, each model added their personal touch to the show for more than a minute on the runway. Corina Gestring, sporting a teal Antigua short-sleeve shirt and a white Deluxe skort, puffed on a cigar -- "a golf course must," she says. Pam Chatham, wearing a Hodja Lakes golf cap, an Outerbanks turquoise polo shirt and white pants, showed off her newly learned golf swing, while Leah Phillips, in an Antigua white skort and a baby blue Adidas top (provided by the Army and Air Force Exchange Service), showed off her twirling skills with a baton act. 

"Watching everyone strut their stuff at the golf fashion show was the highlight of the evening," said Mrs. Chatham. "The party favors were perfect and you can't beat a shopping discount." 

Each ICSC member was given a free fur-trimmed drink holder with the Hodja Lakes logo. Several members carried their koozie on the runway, along with feather boas, sequined bags and golf umbrellas. The show ended with a final curtsy from the models to "I'm Too Sexy," and an appearance by celebrity guest, Britney Spears, a.k.a. Mrs. Brown in a blonde wig. 

"It was great to be a part of the fashion show," said Anne Hawley, dressed in black-on-black Antigua sportswear. "The whole event was a lot of fun and allowed a time for the spouses to relax and have a few laughs."
The fashion show wasn't all of the fun. Each attendee worked the green, receiving two swings during the putting contest. ICSC members Corina Gestring, Stephanie McNamara, Emily Ozgul and Jodie Parker each won a Hodja Lakes coin for sinking their putts. 

"I was really excited when I made my putt," said Mrs. McNamara, who modeled a purple collared, three-quarter sleeved shirt and cap for the show. "I kept saying all week that I was a better golfer than a fashion model." 

The spouses also received a discount in the pro shop, but most importantly they learned what the golf course could offer them. 

"We were able to entertain outside under a full moon with the stars twinkling, enjoying some great food and beverages," said Mr. Anderson. "This really showcased the golf course as an alternative site for social events. Working with ICSC was the logical choice in my mind, as I had seen events they put on in the past and knew it would be a hit. They dove into this event and really made it a professional deal, especially putting together the music and working with the models to bring the crowd to a frenzy."
Mr. Anderson encourages golfers and even non-golfers to take advantage of Incirlik's course, if not to play, but to at least have lunch and enjoy the scenery.
"I was so glad to spend one of my last days at Incirlik among so much food, friendship and fashion," said ICSC member Natalie Hayek, who left for to Hawaii last Sunday. "The evening was elegant and lively, with so many creative touches. From the door prize koozies to Bill Anderson's hilarious fashion show commentaries, it was impossible not to enjoy the evening. It is truly beautiful out here."