NAACP committee co-hosts first fashion show fundraiser

A crowd of several hundred gathered Saturday to support the NAACP Religious Affairs Committee’s first Anointed Women of Excellence Fashion Show at the Killeen Civic and Conference Center.

Killeen resident Betty Brown said she came because one of the models, “Elect Lady Shaw,” gave her a ticket.

Barbara Quinney, of Killeen, said she came to support a friend’s daughter who was a model, and to support the women’s ministries and anointed women.

Killeen resident Deidre Ross came with a friend.

“It’s always a blessing when we get together,” Ross said. “We never know what God is going to do in the midst.”

Debbie Nash-King, chairwoman of the NAACP’s Religious Affairs Committee, said the purpose of the committee is to give back to the Central Texas community.

The committee hosts a unity breakfast for pastors and their spouses to show appreciation for their dedication and love for God’s people, she said.

Committee members support a local nursing home with gifts during the Christmas season, visit hospitals and nursing homes to pray, take food if someone loses a loved one and meet needs.

“We are servants unto God,” Nash-King said.

Nash-King said the fashion show was a fundraiser for the committee, which collaborated with MaryDell Designer Fashions Boutique to fulfill a vision.

Mary D. White, owner of the boutique, said the 53 models are customers of the boutique and anointed Christian women of excellence.

Models wore fashions from every decade, dating from the 1900s to 2000s, made for all sizes and occasions, she said.

“We’re showing the history of fashion,” White said. “There are people here who may have known what their grandmother or great-grandmother wore ... and we can see how fashion recreates and repeats itself.”

With the boutique in business for 11 months, White said it was an honor to be asked to be part of the occasion.

“And I believe in the mission of the NAACP, so that was easy for me to support,” she said.