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Fashion, Frills and Five-Year-Olds at American Girl Show

The American Girl Fashion Show takes to the runway at the Desmond Hotel this weekend.

If you haven’t yet purchased your tickets for this weekend’s 9th annual American Girl Fashion Show, you might have some explaining to do to your own tearful American girl. 

More than 1,000 guests are expected to sell out the fashion fest, arguably the hottest ticket of the social season among the 6- to 12-year-old set. Tickets for Sunday’s two shows are, in fact, already history and very few tickets remain for Saturday’s two shows (11 a.m. and 2 p.m.).

The American Girl brand captured the hearts and imaginations of girls by promoting positive and realistic role models, and incorporating an educational element that appeals to parents. From Kaya, a Native American girl growing up in 1764 to Rebecca Rubin, a Russian-Jewish girl growing up in New York City in 1914, the dolls’ stories teach life lessons and promote positive values.

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This weekend’s runway show is one of many across the country that aims to raise money for children’s charities. Hosted locally by The Saturday Club, the 9th annual American Girl Fashion Show supports the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF)

Over the course of two days, about 200 local girls—carrying American Girl dolls dressed in complementary style—will model the company’s newest looks: Younger models (ages 5-7) will carry Bitty Babies, while the older girls (up to age 12) will be partnered with the historic dolls. The models are chosen from applications submitted on The Saturday Club’s website. Though some girls return year after year, the club tries to ensure as many girls can participate as possible.

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Fashion statements won’t take place exclusively on stage, however. An audience full of children will most likely be sporting their own American Girl style and showing off their equally well-dressed dolls. In addition to the show and a menu of kid-friendly food such as chicken fingers and french fries, the weekend event will feature a raffle, offering chances to win a trip to Walt Disney World, Bedroom Collections for American Girls Felicity and Elizabeth, and retired dolls Samantha and Nellie.

The Saturday Club is “thrilled to provide such a fun outing to the community,” said Fashion Show Chair Nissa O’Mara, “as well as an opportunity to help support a charity as worthwhile as the JDRF.” 

The mission of the JDRF, which was founded in Philadelphia 40 years ago, is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research.

Since 1992, American Girl Fashion Shows around the country have raised $23 million for children’s charities, of which over $600,000 has come from The Saturday Club, which hosted its first show in 2003.

The 9th Annual American Girl Fashion Show will be held March 12-13 at the Desmond Hotel, One Liberty Boulevard, Malvern, PA. There are two shows per day (11 a.m. and 2 p.m.).  Sunday’s shows are sold out, but there are still very limited tickets available for Saturday’s shows. To purchase tickets to the event ($50 and $60) and the raffle, visit http://www.saturdayclub.org/american-girl-cart.php.  Event and raffle tickets are available by advance purchase only.  No tickets will be sold at the door.  For more information email the Saturday Club, visit the American Girl Fashion Show website, or call 610-687-9975.

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