TV Celebrities Paul Wharton and Ashley Darby to Host Fashion Show at Montgomery Mall This Friday

Westfield Montgomery Mall presents ‘Spring Fever’, a Spring/Summer 2024 sartorial celebration as an official event of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, furthering its commitment to cultivating meaningful cultural experiences that engage the local community. This elegant affair will be free and open to the public on Friday, April 5, with festivities starting at 6 PM and a fashion show at 7 PM in the Nordstrom Wing. For the occasion, participating retailers will offer special promotions including gifts with purchase, extended store hours, and discounted merchandise.

TV celebrities Paul Wharton and Ashley Darby (Real Housewives of Potomac) will command the runway as hosts, offering masterful styling tips and modeling lessons. The presentation will spotlight the season’s most covetable ensembles from the center (pulled from the likes of J. Crew, Madewell, Nordstrom, Anya by Vivien, Lululemon, Fabletics, Lilly Pulitzer, Free People, and Under Armour among others). These looks will be complemented by bespoke creations from renowned D.C.-based artist and designer Maggie O’Neill. DJ OZ will provide live entertainment, and a mobile photo booth will be available for guests to capture shareable moments at the end of the catwalk.

Blending statement pieces with elevated everyday wear, expert stylist Joy Kingsley-Ibeh will curate the model looks. Her expertise goes beyond simply wearing the clothing; moreover, her fashion edits demonstrate how to style each ensemble to make it your own. Onstage, a mix of professional models from her eponymous agency alongside local social media stars will bring her coordinated visions to life, showcasing the transformative power of knowing how to put an outfit together in the most becoming way possible.

Guests will also have the opportunity to celebrate Washington’s iconic flower in the heart of Montgomery County as the mall will be adorned with cherry blossom décor by local, woman-owned design atelier, Brightly Ever After. Maggie O’Neill will unveil her iteration of the official Art in Bloom at the center, which will be the only Maryland location to play home to the Giant Cherry Blossom installation from the National Cherry Blossom Festival archives. This integration of fashion and art creates an Instagram-worthy experience, inviting visitors through April to enjoy the ephemeral beauty of the season through select installations brightening up the Nordstrom corridor and beyond.

In conjunction with the fashion show, Westfield Montgomery Mall will launch a month-long clothing drive cementing their civic commitment through a continued partnership benefiting Interfaith Works. The nonprofit organization provides essential resources for thousands of Montgomery County residents every year. Those who bring gently used clothing to donate will have the chance to win exclusive discounts, gifts, and treats from participating retailers as a token of appreciation for their generosity.

“Spring Fever celebrates the splendor of springtime while giving back,” said Zeina Davis, Marketing Director of Westfield Montgomery Mall. “We invite everyone to join us for this star-studded celebration and to explore the stunning cherry blossom exhibits throughout the mall.” The soirée encapsulates the center’s core tenets of empowerment, revitalization and responsible luxury.

RSVPs are highly encouraged at the event page here and guests are requested to bring gently used clothing items for the donation drive taking place on-site.