Behind the Scenes, Model Edition: A Tribute to Transforming Lives Fashion Show

SLAH's Natalie Moore goes undercover as a model in Natalie Sillery's annual trackside fashion show.

Fashion show producer Natalie Sillery filling in the models on how the morning would work.

The model tent at this past Sunday’s Tribute to Transforming Lives fashion show at the 1863 club was a tough place to be named Natalie.

Every few seconds, I found myself whirling around—half dressed, mind you—as one of the 53 models called out to fashion show producer Natalie Sillery, who owns Broadway boutique Saratoga Trunk, with a question. “Quiet!” yelled Rebecca Ehle Beers, the soft-spoken Natalie’s boisterous right-hand woman. “Natalie needs peace. Spend your time drinking.”

The models didn’t need to be told twice; the entire morning had been spent sipping Champagne—a little liquid courage was needed ahead of the impending show—while Natalie showed everyone their looks and Becca bossed everyone around. “You know that if I yell at you, that means I love you,” Becca said before yelling: “Do not touch the zippers! They are mine!”

The models in line to start the fashion show.

For those who weren’t there to witness the fashion show—and, more specifically, my lackluster runway debut—let me fill you in. Natalie Sillery has been hosting trackside fashion shows since long before the 1863 Club venue was even built; the first was in 1998 and benefitted Ronald McDonald House Charities. Flash forward to last year, and Natalie’s show returned for the first time since the pandemic with new beneficiaries: Living Resources and Building on Love. The same charities were involved in this year’s event, which featured looks by Paul Wesolowski, designer of Aidan Mattox under the Adrianna Pappell label, as well as a selection of men’s clothing from the local Union Hall Supply Co.

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Heather Wise on Instagram: “Since 2010, this event has been one that we never miss. For G and I, it all started in 2009 when God handed us a beautiful little girl with a fragile heart. The incredible people we’ve met along this journey has truly been a blessing in so many ways. Natalie A. Sillery and Jeff Yule, you are true servant leaders. Thank you for another amazing year and beautiful day. Read up on these two incredible organizations, and the lives they touch everyday. @buildingonlove and @livingresources. THIS is what this day is about every year. The fashion, the horses, the people … that’s just an added bonus.”

August 22, 2023

Back in the tent, it was evident that I was one of the only rookies amongst the models—who, like me, aren’t really models, but have at least some experience posing as ones. Many, including former news anchor Benita Zahn and former Commissioner of Finance Michele Madigan, have participated in past years; Heather Wise has been around since 2010—read her tribute to the event in the Instagram caption above. Another model, Melissa Ethier, told me that she’s been involved in the show ever since Natalie went out of the way to bring her dresses to try on at work, because with two children under the age of 2 she simply didn’t have time to go shopping. “It meant so much to me that I will forever love her,” she said..

Cracking up upon seeing my SLAH partner in crime in the audience during the fashion show. (Zach Skowronek)

That was a running theme—while the models were certainly happy to be modeling for good causes, the real reason they were there was Natalie, who over the years has, in a way, grown into a larger-than-life, omniscient presence. “You listen to Natalie,” Becca told me when I mentioned that I’d been told not to wear jewelry but at that moment it seemed like everyone else was. “Not your instincts.” At one point, while the models were drinking Champagne in front of the 1863 Club, Natalie appeared in the window behind us, blowing the group of women a kiss. Needless to say, everyone cheered.

—Natalie (obviously)

See runway (including Elizabeth Martin, Mary Barker and Eliza DeRocker) and brunch party pics from A Tribute to Transforming Lives by Zach Skowronek here: