Youth Services Fashion Show in Wilmette features local design talent

The annual Youth Services Fashion Show returned for a second year on June 20 featuring a Thursday evening showcase of local designer talent.

The runway show took place in atrium space along the Leemputte Family Theater at the McGrath Family Performing Arts Center at Loyola Academy in Wilmette.

There were light bites and opportunities to mingle and shop for boutique items while a young pianist played between two runway shows. Vittoria Logli of Glenview was emcee.

Following last year’s sold-out success, Friends of Youth Services presented couture dresses tailored by designers from local high schools, including Glenbrook North High School and Barrington High School.

“What artist doesn’t want to have the eyes on you and the opportunity show off their work?” said Markie Condon of Glenview, president of Friends of Youth Services, which supports Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook. “There are so many kids who would love to have an audience.”

YSGN is an organization serving more than 1,800 local children annually via inclusive programs and scholarships. No child is turned away.

“We’re so lucky to have such an outstanding organization in our community,” Condon said.

The Friends of Youth Services Board was founded in 2004 to provide supportive funding to YSGN, raising more than $500,000, according to their website.

Last year’s fashion show raised $6,600 and the 2024 goals were $10,000 with 200 attendees. Proceeds far exceeded expectations with $12,800 raised, according to Condon. At least 127 attendees committed, “but we always get a ton more at the last minute,” Condon said. Runway aisle seats in the lobby were filled.

Julie Shechtman of Glenview is a FoYS past president and a founder.

“It started all these years ago because there was no organization that would raise awareness and money for Youth Services and so we started one,” Schechtman said. “And I’m so happy to see that all these years later, it’s still growing. YSGN is an amazing organization.”

Attendee Kristin Milito of Glenview just joined the FoYS board and said the young runway designers are very talented people.

“To be able to feature it in this format is pretty special,” Milito added.

Mary Grace Nudo of Des Plaines, owner of Margo Boutique at Glenview’s The Glen Town Center, was a model and also busy backstage coordinating logistics. Many of the young designers looked to Nudo for direction.

Nudo was, “extremely proud, I’m proud to see all the amazing students’ work.”

Olivia Stern of Glenview, of the Loyola Academy Class of 2024, was among runway models in the Margo Boutique show. Stern wore an ice blue dress.

“I think it’s beautiful, the store is so timeless and cute, I love it,” Stern said about Margo Boutique’s curated fashions.

Designer Nicholas DeRosa of Glenview, 18, of the Glenbrook South High School Class of 2024, showed work designed for women using upcycled or repurposed material.

“It makes me so happy, I put all of my stories into my dresses so it makes me so proud to see them go down the runway,” DeRosa said. DeRosa plans to study fashion in New York City to possibly join a fashion house.

DeRosa’s sister Bella DeRosa of Glenview, of the Glenbrook South High School Class of 2022, modeled a gown that featured painted chicken wire as a jacket.

Bella was, “pretty proud,” of sibling Nicholas.

The youngest runway model was also the show’s youngest designer.

Viola Geldermann, 8, a rising third-grader of Chicago Mayfair, drew enthusiastic applause with each runway walk.

Viola is inspired, “by my favorite colors, mostly.”

Her first outfit down the runway featuring a red cape with a multi-colored hood.

Viola’s mother Lizzy Crotty was, “over the moon,” for the opportunity for Viola as both designer and model.

“It’s so exciting,” Crotty said. “She sewed it all herself. She just started this passion recently.”

Virginia Vecellio of Logan Square is of the Barrington High School Class of 2021 and designed her runway collection called “Devastatingly Feminine.”

of Barrington, of the Class of 2021 of Barrington High School, was a model for Vecellio’s line.

“It is probably the coolest thing I’ve ever done in my life, I’m so emotional about it, I’m so proud of her,” Sigaev said backstage before the runway moment. “I watched her (Vecellio) throughout her entire creative process making this collection while she was at school. And so to be able to wear it is genuinely the coolest thing I’ve ever done.”

Her ensemble featured long sleeves with pink piping.

“I love everything about it,” Sigaev said. “It’s creative, it’s unique, it’s so her, it’s organic, devastatingly feminine.”

Vecellio used vintage fabric in her collection and will continue fashion design studies this fall in Chicago.

“I think it’s very important expressing creativity and feeling beautiful in what you’re wearing, encouraging unique beauty,” Vecellio said. “Everybody’s beautiful in their own way.”

Karie Angell Luc is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.