By: DEAN MADDOX
Debra Porter’s “25th Anniversary Fashion Show,” held on Saturday, March 28 at the Fayette Civic Center, was one of her biggest and best yet, verified by the number of participants in the show and the large crowd in attendance.
Porter said that she has always had a passion for designing formal pageant, prom and wedding dresses. She graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in “Fashion Design,” and has been making dresses for the public since 1988.
In 2000, Porter opened “Debra Porter’s Formals” on Columbus Street in Fayette and operated her business from that location for approximately 26 years before recently relocating to a shop near her home on County Road 85. She still carries a large selection of ladies’ formal wear at her shop, and takes appointments for fittings and custom-made dresses.
Porter said that although the annual fashion shows require a lot of work, she loves doing the shows each year and feels blessed to be able to work with the talented people who model the clothing for her.
She said that several of her models worked the talent shows as teenagers, and now their children are participating in the shows.
Many of the dresses modeled during the show were designed by Porter, and all of the ladies’ wear modeled can be purchased at her shop. The male models wore suits and tuxedos furnished by Fisher’s Men Shop, which graciously helps with the fashion show each year, Porter said.
Porter added that for the past several years, the “Win-Wheel Band,” with Fayette’s own Daniel Hindman currently singing lead vocals, has helped provide music for the event.
“We try to make the fashion show a fun event, enjoyed by both the models and the audience,” Porter said. “The show has evolved through the years into an event that many people seem to look forward to each year. I truly appreciate all my customers, the models and the people who attend the fashion shows.”
Included with this article are several photographs from the fashion show.