It was a swanky scene last Thursday night in Tampa at the Rays on the Runway charity fashion show hosted by The Rays Wives and Nordstrom, all proceeds benefiting The Children's Dream Fund.
A ritzy ladies-who-lunch crowd was in attendance with their lovely daughters eager to meet and greet with Tampa Bay's hottest athletes, The Rays. Even fan favorite Evan Longoria, sporting a fashionable faux-hawk and his signature golden boy smile, was out and about signing autographs and taking pictures with the fans.
After mingling with blue martinis and champagne downstairs, the show began upstairs at the International Plaza department store. A white carpet runway set the stage, and a little sense of glamour stirred excitement in the crowd. The show was rather quirky and cute, with Rays players and their wives modeling the season's newest looks. Nothing high fashion, but outfits that were wearable and suitable to your typically posh Tampa taste.
A couple of Tampa’s young professionals, Stephanie Arnold and Haley Scudder, both 22, were excited to see the dresses, and an adorable 3.1 Philip Lim khaki romper modeled by Sean Rodriguez’s wife, Giselle. Who says rompers aren’t for real girls?
Carlos Pena and his wife, Pam, stole the show with their style and sass. Nordstrom Stylist, Edward Allen had the right idea when he put a pair of tight white Joe’s Jeans on the handsomely built first baseman. And Mrs. Pena, wonderfully pregnant and stunning in a Donna Morgan olive halter-neck dress.
But the most-worthy attention grabbers were the little beauties of the show, five young girls from The Children’s Dream Fund who got the chance to strut their stuff in the limelight alongside some of the single players. One of the girls, Gabby, was even seen blowing a kiss to the audience, winning loads of adoration.
“Seeing the kids in the show, and seeing them light up down the runway with the players is definitely the best thing about the event every year,” gushed Deborah Redmond, Nordstrom’s Store Manager, who wore a tangerine Alexander Wang dress I simply could not stop staring at.
The show, in its third year, is an enjoyable event that brings attention to a great local cause. All attendees left with a bag of information about The Children’s Dream Fund, and hopefully those who paid the $75 to get in will take the time and resources to contribute to the true meaning of the night.
For those of you who weren’t there, take a moment and flip through the photos from the show. Remember what I said about Carlos Pena. You’re welcome.
See all the pics after the jump:
