Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

A sold-out crowd filled the Portland Museum of Art this evening for the Blue Wrap Project Runway fashion show put on by Partners for World Health. Each of the show's garments was constructed from blue wrap, a synthetic fabric used to sterilize medical instruments. Partners for World Health collects unused medical supplies discarded by Maine healthcare facilities and distributes them to medical facilities in the developing world. The organization receives a lot of blue wrap, yet can't send it overseas because hospitals in less affluent nations employ reusable towels to sterilize instruments rather than disposable blue wrap.

Tonight the discarded fabric gained a new life on the catwalk.

Elizabeth McLellan is a nurse and the the organization's globe-trotting founder. She was the last to hit the runway and wore a strapless gown created by Jung's Quality Creations. She was accompanied on stage by Partners for World Health board member Ryan Fendler, who was wearing a suit created by C.M. Almy, his family's business.

Former broadcast journalist Neila Smith wore a gown made by Mardie Weldon, who used blue wrap and surgical gloves and was inspired by Lady Gaga.

Well-known realtor John Hatcher swashbuckled across the stage in a pirate's costume created by Barbara Kelly.

Miss Maine United States Aleksandra Derikonja modeled a baby doll cocktail dress designed by Erika Smith.

Alex Rheault, who chairs the illustration department at the Maine College of Art and directs the Quimby Colony's fashion program, wore a blue wrap and surgical glove number designed by Lillian Prentice.

Nicole Hoehle, a sophomore at Yarmouth High, modeled a cocktail dress and a quilted evening coat designed by Sue Hammerland.

At the end of the show, all the models and designers took one last turn on the stage. In front are Vanessa Keithly wearing Stephanie Harmon, Tatiana McChesney wearing Marie Antonieta (her mother) and Victoria Bossong wearing Marieta Atienza.

I'll have more snapshots and details from the party in the April 3 edition of the Maine Sunday Telegram.

Until then, I hope to see you out and about.

About the Author

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Avery Yale Kamila dishes about southern Maine's hottest parties.

Avery can be contacted at 791-6297 or akamila@pressherald.com
On Twitter: @AveryYaleKamila

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