Our guest blogger today is Lesley Rojas, the showroom manager of Robert Allen | Beacon Hill at the Design Center of the Americas (DCOTA) in Dania Beach, Florida (adjacent to Ft. Lauderdale). Lesley,  one of our most experienced showroom managers, is especially savvy about design industry promotions. So when she told us this event would be special, we knew we had to participate.

 
Lesley Rojas

When our customer Dawn Elise Hamilton of Dawn Elise International told me she wanted Robert Allen fabric to make a tuxedo for her dog, she got my attention. Once I knew it would support the "Patterns for PAWS" benefit being held at DCOTA, how could I refuse?  

Here I am with Dawn Elise and her dog, Vito, one of the "models" for the fashion show at the event. Didn't she do a great job with his outfit?

 
Vito's trousers are Scottish Clan in Blackwatch, his collar and cuffs are Mebane in Cotton, and his bowtie is Ocean Beauty in Sapphire.  His shoes are Go Go, our vinyl "patent leather" look  in Black and Marshmallow.

All of the table settings were auctioned off to benefit the Humane Socity and PAWS. Our tablecloth was Robert Allen's Larry Laslo fabric, Cuff Links, in color Kiwi, underlined with Kerala color Seaglass, with napkins in Shenanigan Way in Seaglass.                              

Here they are on the runway.  Some of the dog models were available for adoption, and by the end of the day some of them even found good homes.  Overall the event generated $18,000 for a great cause.

The event had enthusiastic support from the design community.  Michele Castana from MJG Design joined the cause with her best friend, Winston. 

But all in all, Vito was the star of the show!  It was a great day and it felt good to raise money for a wonderful cause. Our thanks to Dawn Elise for including Robert Allen in this unforgettable event!