Model citizens

Doctors and lawyers can at times be on opposite sides of an issue, but often a common cause brings them together.
That will be the case on Oct. 1 when several physicians and attorneys from the Mecklenburg County Medical Society Women Physicians Section and Charlotte Women’s Bar will model clothes from Nordstrom as part of “Fighting for Women with Fashion” from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Foundation for the Carolinas, 220 N. Tryon St.

Proceeds go to Safe Alliance’s new Clyde and Ethel Dickson Domestic Violence Shelter. It hasn’t even been open a year, and this larger facility (it has 80 beds compared to 29 beds at the former shelter) is already operating at capacity.

Tickets are $75 through Sept. 24; $85 afterward. Details: 704-376-3688; www.safealliance.org/fighting-for-women-with-fashion.

Halloween costume ideas

The recent masquerade ball I attended was not only a fabulous party, it was filled with great costume ideas for the upcoming Halloween holiday.

For inspiration, check out the slideshow: www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/09/10/4303501/scene-heard-masquerade-ball.html

Also, here's a fun video that captures the party's fun atmosphere:
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/videos?vcid=25158613&freewheel=90473&sitesection=charlotte

Follow Olivia on Twitter @oliviafortson

Power luncheon Sept. 19

This year’s Southern Women’s Show will be held at a new location, the Charlotte Convention Center uptown. When it opens on Sept. 19 for its four-day run, it will also host a separate event: the Women’s Inter-Cultural Exchange’s Multi-Cultural Conference.

Moira Quinn is emcee of the luncheon’s panel discussion that features Ann Caulkins of the Charlotte Observer, retired AT&T executive Patricia Diaz-Dennis and Debra Plousha Moore of Carolinas HealthCare System.

It’s from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; the $85 price includes one ticket to the Southern Women’s Show. Details: www.wi-ce.org.

Woof it up on Sept. 14

Animal lovers are invited to Woofstock, a groovy event that's a fundraiser for Great Dane Friends of Ruff Love and the Blue Ridge Boxer Rescue. It's from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 14 at Amos' South End, 1423 S. Tryon St. Guests will enjoy food, beverages, a silent auction and music.

There's also a chance to meet the pets available for adoption from the two rescue groups.

True to its hippie theme, the party's fun tagline is "Peace. Love. Drool."

Admission is $5.

Details: www.blueridgeboxerrescue.com; www.greatdanefriends.com.

Follow Olivia on Twitter @oliviafortson

Six updates from Seventeen magazine

I enjoy it when I get to write about fashion, so I guess that's why one of my co-workers left a copy of the September issue of Seventeen magazine on my desk. I loved the magazine when I was younger, but I haven't looked at a copy in ages. I started to recycle it, then I thought maybe just for fun I would read it.

I didn't think there would be anything in there for me to learn from, I just wanted to enjoy reading a fashion and beauty magazine that didn't have endless articles about fighting wrinkles.

One article did have some info in that I thought would be fun to pass along. I think it's style advice that anyone of any age can learn from.

The article gave six tips for quickly updating your personal style. One was incredibly stupid, in my opinion, but the rest were good reminders to think differently about how little things you do to tweak your style can make a big fashion impact. Here are the magazine's tips:

1. Wear your bracelets stacked on top of the sleeve of your outerwear. Mix colors and metals for "an ultra-cool vibe."

2. Knot a belt over your jacket instead of buttoning it up.

3. Take a classic long sleeve shirt and make it more trendy by throwing it over a graphic print tee and only buttoning the very top button on the shirt.

4. Rest a jacket on your shoulders for a less bulky, more interesting way to bundle up.

5. When you wear a hoodie, tie the strings in a feminine bow instead of letting them hang loose.

6. This is the stupid one. The magazine says that a chunky necklace updates a dress, but don't hide it behind your hair - tuck strands under the necklace to show it off. (Although I do believe that when you're under 25 you should really experiment with your clothes, makeup and accessories, this just doesn't look right. If it doesn't look good on the model in the story, then usually it's not going to look good on the average person.)

Follow Olivia on Twitter @oliviafortson

Art of Fashion Sept. 12

Neiman Marcus and the Mint Museum are joining fashionable forces to present the Art of Fashion, a Sept. 12 fundraiser at the SouthPark mall store that benefits the Mint Museum.

Special guest is Hal Rubenstein, editor of InStyle magazine. It includes a fashion show of the biggest trends for fall and winter.

Neiman Marcus knows how to host an event, so expect to have a lot of fun while soaking in what's new and cutting edge. It includes a fashion show of the biggest trends for fall and winter. There will be music by DJ Sami, beverages and light hors d'oeuvres.

The event is from 6:30 to 10 p.m.; the fashion show is at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $50 and all proceeds benefit the Mint Museum.

Follow Olivia on Twitter @oliviafortson

Joan Zimmerman honored Sept. 26

The nonprofit Dress for Success Charlotte will celebrate the success of its clients at the Ultimate Power Lunch, a fundraiser presented by Wells Fargo from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Fillmore Charlotte, 1000 Seaboard St.

It includes "Faces of Dress for Success" client fashion show sponsored by Belk and the presentation of the Paradigm Award sponsored by L'Oreal Paris that will be given to Joan Zimmerman of Southern Shows, a founding co-chair of the Dress for Success Charlotte Community Advisors.

Tickets are $50 each. Details: 704-525-7706; www.dressforsuccess.org.