Buffalo Rising Online

Nov 18th 2008, 11:36am By queenseyes

It's taken me a few days to completely grasp how special the Mass Appeal event at Lafayette Church was this past Friday. For those guests who were lucky enough to make the fashion show, you were part of something even bigger than you know. What I saw that night was a community coming together to support people, a church, local business and on a certain level, spirituality. All of the pieces fit that night. The lighting by Carlie Todoro stole the show and was a completely over the top effect. The fiery ceiling and the neon blue runway combination was ethereal. The Lafayette Church congregation should pat themselves on the back for allowing such an inspirational show to take place within their house of the holy.

To see Reverend Drew Ludwig parade down the runway as the lead 'model' was very appropriate. Drew has become a role model in the community by breaking down the barriers of what a church is and what a church does. I heard that not everyone was happy that the church was going to open its doors for the High Fashion event. But instead of canning the show, Drew took on the challenge of appealing to a community by showing that the church is still part of the community. There was nothing risqué or improper.

The young models (there must have been upwards of fifty) were nothing but steadfast and upstanding. The mixed crowd (many family members cheering on) was gracious and enthusiastic. The event should be held up as a symbol - to show that barriers are being broken and the city of Buffalo is opening up to forward thinking ideas and beliefs. I was very proud to see such a young group of people take charge for a night. Kudos to Shock and Awe for spinning the sweet tunes that led the models down that 70' runway - the synchronicity was very tight.

At one point, a former Babeville employee turned to me and said, "This is on par with a Babeville event... but it's an operating church. Now that's different." Another friend said to me, "I never thought that I would see the day that I would be impressed at an event like this - this is something that I thought you could only see in NYC." With comments like those, I would hope that the Lafayette Church congregation is now thankful that the event went off without a hitch. And if High Fashion ended up raising a good amount of money to keep the church doors open, well... Hallelujah!

From Reverend Drew Ludwig:

"It was wonderful to see the building transformed. It was also very important to us, as a church community to connect to creative people. In recent history, the church has chased people like that away and we have been poorer for it. This was a positive event for us in terms of expanding our welcome, and imagining what can be done with our historic edifice. We are so glad to support the Elmwood Village Neighborhood Association - they do great work. Erin, Patrick, Justin and Wendy did an amazing job creating this event and I wouldn't be surprised if we did it again next year, and it was even bigger and better."

Second photo (of model): Jim Kupczyk