Ebony Show Proves That Giving Can Be Fashionable

For the better part of this evening, some of the world’s most beautiful models will transform the Oxnard High School auditorium stage into a rousing runway for today’s top fashion.

But the 39th annual Ebony Fashion Fair isn’t just about fashion for fashion’s sake.

Call it vogue with a view.

All proceeds will go to scholarships for local high school students hoping to attend college.

“For many of them, it just means an additional opportunity to further their education,” said Tammy Braxton, the general chairwoman for this year’s event. “We try to give the scholarships to those who need it financially, as well as those who have shown some academic success.”

Produced by Ebony magazine, the traveling show is held every other year and hits 100 cities, showcasing the newest designs from the likes of Bill Blass, Bob Mackie, Fabrice, Yves Saint Laurent and Christian Dior.

In Ventura County, the show is sponsored by the local chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

Founded in 1908 at Howard University in Washington, D.C., the sorority includes more than 140,000 college-educated women whose aim is to improve educational, social and economic conditions in communities across the world.

The last time Oxnard hosted the event, in 1995, three recipients each received $1,000 scholarships, Braxton said. A screening committee interviews applicants and decides on the winners, she said.

Ruby Manor, publicity chairwoman for the show, said the magazine and fund-raising event may seem geared toward the county’s African American community, “but then again, everyone likes to look at fashion.”

“All of the designs are things women of all races like to wear and like to look at,” she said.

The designs to be showcased include the practical--things people could wear to work or church or out on the town--to more flamboyant fashions “you would just like to look at.”

Tickets for the show are $25. Student tickets are available at $14. The show begins at 8 p.m., with a pre-show reception at 6:30 p.m.

The school is at 3400 Gonzales Road.