Around 120 people attended Suzanne’s of Paris’ Fashion Show Fundraiser at the River’s Edge Arlington venue in Paris on Sunday, November 9, 2025.
Leah Thomas, who took over the business from her mother, Marilynne, many years ago, said that with the store celebrating 40 years in fashion this year, it felt like the right time to bring back a fashion show after a long hiatus.
“I haven’t done a fashion show in the last couple decades, so I thought this was the perfect time and the perfect venue to do it in because it’s right across the street from the store,” she said. “We’re just so excited that everyone is here today, there are so many long-time customers here that have shown up and have even traveled from out of town to be here so I’m grateful for all their support. And we’re so grateful for all the support we’ve had in putting this on too; I’ve never done a big event like this before, where we’ve done everything ourselves from making table favours and the fascinators, to the swag bags and all the organizing too, so it feels great to get this off the ground.”
Thomas, a long-time supporter of Nova Vita Domestic Violence Prevention Services who donated thousands of dollars in clothing to its Closet Couture Boutique before its closure in 2023, decided to make the show a fundraiser to support the organization.
“I love supporting women and their needs, and the people who utilize Nova Vita, they need our help,” she said. “With this month being Women Abuse Prevention month, a portion of the ticket sales are going to the shelter, and I’m happy to say that we get to present them with a cheque for $3,000 today.”
Before the show officially got underway, master of ceremonies Susan Swackhammer, who sits on Nova Vita’s board of directors, had the opportunity to share some information about the organization’s work.
“Very sadly, intimate partner violence is on the rise, and that’s why your support of Nova Vita by being present here today, is so very welcome and appreciated. Nova Vita Domestic Violence Prevention Services has many programs to support their mission,” she said. “They offer emergency shelter for women and their children with 33 beds. This year, they provided shelter services to 64 women and 73 children, including six babies under a year of age, and 11 women and nine children were able to live next door in the second stage housing.”
Swackhammer went on to provide more information about Nova Vita’s text and online chat services, trauma-informed counselling for men, and the organization’s services within the Cowan Community Health Hub.
Surrounded by different shades of purple and turquoise, a nod to Nova Vita’s branding, attendees were later all smiles as they enjoyed afternoon tea and refreshments, and viewed 24 different looks from the store’s inventory.
The sold out show opened with a celebration of Canadian pride in the “Canadian Tuxedo” segment, featuring 100 per cent cotton sweaters made in Toronto, as well as jeans and jackets.
Up next, guests got to see six looks by Thorold, Ont. designer, Shannon Passero, followed by holiday-ready ensembles from Frank Lyman and Joseph Ribkoff.
The show later concluded with the “Winter Wonderland” segment. From faux-fur trimmed jackets to sequined vests, satin skirts and gowns, the category screamed festive flair.
Following the show, each attendee was given a swag bag and invited to the store to shop with a 20 per cent discount off everything in store.
Harley residents Pam Hubick and her daughter Alayna, said that as dedicated customers of Suzanne’s of Paris, they were happy to have attended the event.
“I thought it was beautiful and I really like the location here too,” said Alayna. “I thought all of the pieces were so nice, but I really liked all the faux-fur coats, they were just so pretty. Some of the details on the pieces were unexpected too, the one lady had these pants with sparkles at the bottom and I thought it was a fun little surprise.”
The two said that they had a great time chatting with the other guests at the table and were happy they could help support a good cause.
“Being able to give back like this was nice,” said Alayna. “Back when the Closet Couture Boutique was still open, we would donate different items and even shop there ourselves quite often so this was great to be part of.”
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
