• Allison Miles •
• Originally published July 16, 2008 at 11:43 p.m., updated July 16, 2008 at 11:43 p.m.

In the Victoria Country Club’s air conditioned ballroom, Sarah Tyng might have felt a bit of a draft.

The Victoria College student was clad in a bright pink wrap-around towel, matching purse and little else as she strolled past the 170 people filling the room Wednesday with a smile across her face.

Tyng’s ensemble of choice was part of Project Runway, a fundraiser sponsored by the Victoria Professional Express Network.

The event featured a style show by local vendors, silent auction and lunch, VPEN president Tai Klam said. Proceeds will go back to the group to pay for scholarships, professional speakers and to send women to leadership conferences.

Kim Bristow modeled clothing from The Palm Tree and admitted the style show was on “the other side of the world” from her day job as a staff accountant.

While Bristow had never modeled before, she said she’d be up to the challenge if they asked her to do it again.

“It was fun,” she said. “We were all nervous in the beginning, but when we got out there it was just casual. People were talking to us as we walked by.”

Pat McDonald owns Days Gone Bye, a local boutique that donated clothing and accessories for the show, along with Foster Creek Station, The Palm Tree and Rodeo Gypsy.

Representatives from the Express Network shop at McDonald’s store, she said, and approached her about taking part in it. She agreed, noting it gets the year-or-so old store’s name out there.

“It’s a great thing for us,” McDonald said. “And it helps the group out. That’s a real up-and-coming organization.”

VPEN is affiliated with the American Business Women’s Association and serves as a networking opportunity for area businesswomen.

It got its start in October and meetings include professional speakers, networking opportunities and lunch at the country club.

Debbie Williams attended the style show with her friend and client Jan Oldfather

A member of ABWA, Williams said it’s important for area businesswomen to join up.

“We can relate to each other on the same level,” she said. “It’s good to have the women coming together in the community.”

And Oldfather had her own reasons for attending the show.

“I get to be an adult today and leave my kids at home,” she said with a smile.

Allison Miles is a reporter for the Advocate. Contact her at 361-580-6511 or amiles@vicad.com, or comment on this story at www.VictoriaAdvocate.com.

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