American Girl Comes To Tampa

Posted Oct 27, 2006 by Suzanne Schmidt

Updated Oct 27, 2006 at 11:28 AM

FASHION SHOWS SET FOR NOV. 4-5

By SUZANNE M. SCHMIDT
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American Girl enthusiasts will be walking the runway showing off the latest American Girl fashions at the eighth annual American Girl Fashion Shows in Tampa.
The GFWC Temple Terrace Junior Woman’s Club is hosting the event at the Embassy Suites Hotel, on the University of South Florida campus, 3705 Spectrum Blvd. Shows are Nov. 4 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Nov. 5 at 1 and 5 p.m.
More than 180 girls from throughout Hillsborough and surrounding counties will be sporting American Girl fashions along with the American Girl dolls to match.
American Girl dolls come with a book that tells their story. Some of the dolls are historic and the story tells about different time periods from the 10-year-old girl’s perspective. Some of the dolls are modern and little girls can buy matching clothes and other accessories to go along with their favorite doll.
“As each girl walks the runway, they will be talking about the doll’s character,” said Alison Fernandez, president of the Junior Woman’s Club. “All the models will be dressed the same as the doll they are walking the runway with. We will have the historical and the contemporary dolls.”
The club has been hosting the fashion shows for the past eight years. It began as a one-day event and has grown to a weekend of four shows. The show is one of the club’s biggest fundraisers.
“One of the reasons, the club picked American Girl is because it provides a wholesome role model for girls,” Fernandez said. “Each character has a series of books that goes with it. It helps to introduce young girls to history with a 10-year-old girl as the central character.”
American Girl stores are only in New York and Chicago.
“So many girls love the dolls and the books,” Fernandez said. “We are so far from New York and Chicago; this is the only chance for them to have the American Girl experience here in Tampa.”
All the proceeds raised from the fashion shows will go to area charities. The proceeds will be evenly distributed between Everyday Blessings, The Spring, The Ophelia Project and Bonnie Brae Park.
Everyday Blessings is a Florida-based nonprofit adoption agency. The agency works with the child’s birth parents and also offers payment plans for adoptions.
The Spring provides services and sanctuary to abused adults and their children. The Ophelia Project of Tampa Bay works to inspire an emotionally, physically and socially safe culture for girls by promoting gender-specific practices in youth programs.
“It is a requirement of the American Girl company, that the beneficiaries of the fashion show be centered on children,” Fernandez said. “Every cent not used in producing these shows will go to the charities. Traditionally, the charities have raised about $2,000 to $3,000.”
Bonnie Brae Park in Temple Terrace is in need of new playground equipment.
“We chose the park because it is very centrally located,” Fernandez said. “It can be used by all age groups and it affects so many people. There is a need for new playground equipment.”
Admission to the show is $30 per person. For $30, patrons will be treated to a two-hour show and refreshments. Girls attending receive a goodie bag from American Girl. Also Learning Express Toy Store, 16045 Tampa Palms Blvd. W., will sell American Girl products.
“They will have no American Girl dolls or clothing, but they will have accessories like books and stuffed animals,” Fernandez said. “We will also have a photographer and we will have great American Girl raffle prizes.”
Hannah Hussman, fourth-grader at Denim Oaks Elementary School in Lutz, was in the show last year and will be in it again this year.
“I like wearing the clothes,” Hussman said. “When I saw the Samantha movie, I loved it. The library at my school has the entire collection of the dolls and the books.”
Her mother, Teresa Hussman, said she loves the American Girl brand because it is good for her daughter.
“The first story she read about Kit, she is from the Depression (era),” Teresa Hussman said. “The stories gave her and introduction into an era she wouldn’t normally have been interested in. With all the other trashy things out there, I think it is good there are dolls like this.”
Clara Hartman, a fourth-grader at Cimino Elementary School in Valrico, said the dolls provide a history lesson.
“You can learn about the past from them,” Hartman said. “Kit is my favorite because she looks like me. I really like being in the fashion show because even if I mess up, no one notices.”
Maria Godwin, fifth-grader at Foundation Christian Academy in Brandon, said she loves being in the fashion show.
“My favorite doll is Felicity,” Godwin said. “A lot of people say I look like her because of my red hair. I like the accessories I can get for each doll. I have Felicity’s lamb. I really like to read the books, too.”
This is the third year Godwin has been in the fashion show.
“I like the part when I am walking across the stage,” Godwin said. “Waiting backstage, I am nervous and excited but mostly I am excited. There is no more rehearsal, it is just time to go and show the costume.”
Sponsors of the show are Parent Guide, Academic Financial Services, Huntington Learning Center and Ms. Pink.
Temple Terrace Public Library, 202 Bullard Parkway, will also have a story time sneak peak with some of the models of the fashion show Oct. 29 from 2 to 3 p.m.
For information about the TT Junior Woman’s Club, visit http://www.ttjuniors.org or call 989-9566.

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