The Second Annual Girl Up Fashion Show on April 19th was a fun-filled, fashion-focused event that blended creativity and elegance with fundraising for women’s health care. From 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., models strutted down the runway in Reid Hall, charcuterie and mocktails were enjoyed and raffle items were sold.

Freshman. sophomore, junior and senior female students modeled the pieces. They arrived at 4:30 p.m., helping each other get ready, before the 7:00 start time of the event.

Each look that went on the runway came from a women-owned brand. First, Olivia’s Boutique presented the audience with three unique and brightly colored looks. Next, Forest & Found, a sustainable thrift store, showed three dresses. The Lake Forest Shop also lent Girl Up three stunning gowns, worn by three juniors. Gia Roberts, a high school senior from San Francisco, handmade a dress specifically for the event, displaying a black mini dress that literally sparkled on the runway. Helsi’s Boutique was next, showcasing three floral dresses. Elena Victoria, a luxury designer from Winnetka, closed out the show with six stunning looks. The dresses varied in style, shape and fabrics, ending the runway with unique and beautiful diversity. The dresses were paired with the jewelry of Victoria’s friend, Barbara Parker of Barbara Parker Jewelry. This was Victoria’s second time closing out the show with her gowns. 

After the show, while mingling guests enjoyed charcuterie and mocktails, the raffle began. The raffle, among the priced items (food and drink), is the main source of revenue for the charity event, as entry is free. All proceeds went to the international Girl Up organization, to be directed towards women’s health care. Raffle items came from the Lake Forest Book Store, The Lake Forest Shop, Kameo Vintage, Olivia’s Boutique, Foodstuffs, Hally Hair and Style Shack. The last raffle item was a basket put together by the Girl Up club’s members, named “Girl Up’s Favorite Things Basket,” featuring items such as Poppi, fake nails, matcha, headbands and more, all coming in a cute canvas bag.

The event was open to the public, including LFA students, teachers, friends and families, along with the designers that watched their items being worn.

Planning for the show began in September of 2025 by the Girl Up club leaders Clare Gartz ‘26, Amalia Rosen ‘27, Caroline Bierig ‘27 and Saathvika Narayan ‘26. To reserve tables, chairs and decorations, along with helping brainstorm the layout of the event, Director of Catering Services Christine Gaither was a massive help for the show. Designers were contacted in September and October, resulting in model fittings from right after spring break up until the fashion show. A rehearsal, a newly implemented element of the fashion show timeline, also took place the week before the show to help models feel more comfortable walking down the runway. 

From last year’s event to this year’s, other changes include working with more brands, featuring new designers and gathering more participation from models. Gartz, now a two-time planner of the event, expected from it “great food, cool fashion and awesome raffle items.” Her favorite part of the show was the “large turnout and seeing our ideas come to life.” Greenwood, also a two-time participant in the event as a model, called her time in the First Annual Girl Up Fashion Show a “thrilling, unique experience that pushed [her] out of [her] comfort zone.” She later added, “It was really inspiring modeling being around women-owned brands and business leaders.”

The night concluded with a thank you from the club’s leaders, wrapping up a philanthropic, dazzling event.