Fashion show features hot bridal trends

WASILLA — It takes a special event to get Jess Ramirez in a tuxedo, let alone all duded up on stage.

“I actually hate it,” said Ramirez while preparing to strut his stuff Saturday with 4-year-old son Anthony at the Donna’s Corner Bridal Fashion Show at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center. “I really don’t like dressing like this, but I love seeing him all pimped out. It’s his first time doing (a fashion show).”

And for a guy who tries to avoid dressing formal, Saturday’s show was hardly Ramirez’s first. That’s because in addition to being Anthony’s father, he’s also the son of Donna’s Corner owner Donna Turner. That means he’s been modeling men’s fashions for his mom since he was a teen.

Donna, however, said she loves to see her favorite men glitzed out. Asked who rocked his tuxedo best, the longtime Big Lake bridal shop owner had a hard time choosing.

“Man, that’s a tough one,” she said, eventually giving the edge to Anthony. Along with his 4-year-old cuteness, the tyke’s stylish Mohawk made the difference, she said.

And as Turner called her 15th wedding fashion show, she had no problem bragging on her boys a little while introducing some of the new trends in men’s wedding fashion to the Valley.

“Now here are two really special guys in my life — my son and my little grandson,” she said as they took the stage. “And they are tag-teaming it today.”

They wore matching white two-button, single-breasted tuxedoes made with premium-grade satin and accented with Ferrari-red vests and Windsor ties.

While there were a few styles for men, much of the show featured fashions for brides and bridesmaids. The styles this season mix classic elements with some whimsy, Turner said.

“For bridal, the styles are all about the fit and flair,” she said. “Lots of color, asymmetrical draping, lots of crystals and beading, pearls and long trains, tuck-up pleats. For the guys, I’m showcasing the new tuxedoes. … Guys have options, not just the traditional ‘dad tux.’”

Turner has operated her shop in the East Lake Mall in Big Lake for 17 years, and said she loves putting on a show. And so do her models.

“They have a blast,” she said. “They never get to dress up, so this is a blast. You only get married for the first time once.”

Among those taking in the show Saturday was 13-year-old Natalie Waterhouse. Already attending the Today’s Woman Show at the sports center, Waterhouse said she was pleased she found something to help feed her interest in fashion. Today’s Woman Show is a three-day event that includes stage presentations, seminars, weddings, fine arts and crafts, makeovers, health screenings, beauty tips and more. It continues today from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. An encore of the Bridal Fashion Show kicks off at 2 p.m.

“They’re all just pretty,” Waterhouse said of the wedding dresses. “I like to look at the different styles of dresses.”

Those beads and accents Turner said are in style also catch Waterhouse’s eye, the teen said.

“I like the sparkles,” she said. “If I were designing a dress, it’d have sparkles and poofiness.”

What: Today’s Woman Show

Where: Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center, Wasilla

When: Today, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cost: Admission is free