It was an early afternoon of dining, music and fashion as the Olaf Wieghorst Museum and Western Heritage Center in El Cajon held its Fashion Show Luncheon at the El Cajon Elks Lodge on June 18. Featuring the picturesque fashions of Glamour Girlz Boutique, owner Peggy Harris displayed a wide variety of fashions for all ages, complete with jewelry, handbags and accessories. All of which could be purchased, with a 10 percent discount off of regular retail prices and 10 percent of all sales going to support the Wieghorst.
It was an early afternoon of dining, music and fashion as the Olaf Wieghorst Museum and Western Heritage Center in El Cajon held its Fashion Show Luncheon at the El Cajon Elks Lodge on June 18. Featuring the picturesque fashions of Glamour Girlz Boutique, owner Peggy Harris displayed a wide variety of fashions for all ages, complete with jewelry, handbags and accessories. All of which could be purchased, with a 10 percent discount off of regular retail prices and 10 percent of all sales going to support the Wieghorst.
In tandem, Mary Moreau of Black Horse Gourds displayed and sold her beautiful creations as Keep the Change a San Diego Band played its folk/blues style of music. Rita’s Catering provided a wonderful light lunch for the warm Saturday, all of which created a great atmosphere for this fashion for fun and fundraising benefit.
Keep the Change musicians James Mosier and Tracy Edwards, along with Sons of Charity and Goodwill Ambassador Sam Diego (Diego-Mejia) and Olaf Wieghorst Board of Directors President John Stauffer made up Olaf’s Posse, all of whom helped throughout the event by serving champagne and wine, escorting Glamour Girlz’ models, and entertaining the crowd.
City of El Cajon Public Information Officer Monica Zech gave her time to the fundraiser by emceeing the event, all while wearing her own Glamour Girlz creation.
Zech said the Olaf Wieghorst honors the accomplished artist Olaf Wieghorst, who lived in this community for more than 40 years and well known for his beautiful portrayals of the 19th century American West.
“Monies raised by the fashion show and luncheon is used to help provide programs for area school children that help them to explore the art, culture, and ethics of the builders of the American West,” she said. The cowboys, the American Indian, the Calvary, the Charros, the Mountain Men, and the pioneers who helped shape this country’s Western Landscape. It also helps to ensure that current and future generations will have access to Western culture through art and artifact collections in the Gallery.
Museum Director Earlene Hollmichel said even thought they originally had planned the event in La Mesa, but due to cost changed to the Elks Lodge that the turnout was great and everyone had fun and that the event was successful, despite the heavy weekend of graduations and other events going on in East County.
She said partnering with Glamour Girlz is a perfect combination and that many in attendance were wearing their Glamour Girlz fashions. Hollmichel said that the fashions that Glamour Girlz Boutique offers are versatile and beautiful, with the ability to mix and match, add accessories, and it is a one-top shop for an entire ensemble that can be used for many occasions formal or casual. “Peggy Harris has always been good to us,” she said.
She said Olaf’s Posse is always a great help to any event that the museum holds.
“Whether it is fixing stuff in the yard at the museum, helping serve at our holiday luncheon, and the ladies love them,” she said.
Unlike many fashion shows, the models from Glamour Girlz were fun, engaging and informal, not only on the runway, but as they walked through the audience giving and up close and personal view of the beautiful combinations of outfits and accessories that the boutique has to offer.
Hollmichel said that all of the museums events are informal by nature. “That’s just not the cowboy way, it’s not Olaf’s way,” she said. “We take our fundraising seriously but when we have an event we like to make it fun and enjoy it. People come back.”
You can visit the Olaf Wieghorst along with Olaf’s historic home that sits adjacent to the Heritage Center and Museum located at 131 Rea Avenue in Downtown El Cajon. For more information, visit wieghorstmuseum.org or call (619) 590-3431. You can visit the museum Tuesday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and the last Saturday of the month from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
