By Emma Bouthillette
Staff Writer

Summer fashions are hitting the clothes racks and the Kennebunk-Kennebunkport Chamber of Commerce has organized a fashion show exhibiting the latest styles – all for a good cause.
“There’s a two-fold reason. I wanted to do a fashion show, and it is a great way to showcase the businesses and promote buying local. I also think it is important to do things to benefit causes,” Kennebunk-Kennebunkport Chamber of Commerce Director of Marketing and Membership Karen Duddy said.
Duddy organized “The Fashion Show of the Kennebunks for Breast Cancer” to raise money for the Maine Breast Cancer Foundation in Portland. Duddy said she chose to support this foundation specifically because most people have some connection to breast cancer. Duddy hopes to raise $6,000 with half the proceeds to benefit the foundation’s research. The other half of the proceeds will help the chamber cover the cost of the event and marketing other events to attract people to Maine.
The fashion show will take place June 12 at Nonantum Resort in Kennebunkport. Cocktail hour will start at 5 p.m. and the fashion show will begin at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for $40 and tables can be reserved ahead of time through the Kennebunk-Kennebunkport Chamber of Commerce. Tickets will also be available at the door.
Duddy has recruited clothing stores in Kennebunk and Kennebunkport to contribute fashions to the show. Participating stores include Green Tangerine, Fine Things, Benoits, Arbitrage, Chadwick’s, Alano Ltd., Carrots & Co., Port Boutique, Port Manteaux, Talbots, Carla’s Corner, The Closet, Victorian Affair, Flaherty Imports, American Sailor and Catwear.
Businesses are responsible for finding four models to walk the runway and the owners will walk after the models to put a face with a business name, Duddy said. As the models walk the runway, Duddy will announce what they are wearing and what store the outfit is from.
Businesses are volunteering their services in preparation for the show. Spa at Rivers Edge, Cottage Day Spa and Boutique and Linda Clawson of Mary Kay will help prepare the models’ makeup and hair before the show. Mail It Unlimited and Blooms and Heirlooms are helping to decorate. 
 “I plan on having younger and older models. So far one is a customer and two are employees,” Green Tangerine owner Caroline Lane said.
“I think that in this community, where the people are of middle class America, it is great to get together and support a cause,” Benoits’ owner Heidi Benoit said.
Benoits’ models include family, friends and customers. Benoit and Lane express the same goal of presenting clothing for all ages. Benoit said their models have been contemplating what to wear and are very excited for the event.
 “Everyone feels it is a win-win event. Everybody has something unique to showcase to a captivating audience and half of the proceeds will go to the Maine Breast Cancer Foundation, so the money will stay in the state,” Duddy said.  “I would like to make it an annual thing.”
Along with supporting a good cause and promoting businesses in the Kennebunks, Benoit and Duddy also plan for the event to be a fun “ladies night out.”
For more information, or to buy tickets, contact Karen Duddy at the Kennebunk-Kennebunkport Chamber of Commerce at 207-967-0857, or visit their Web site www.visitthekennebunks.com.