Fashion show for the Dawn Center

Fine Lines Boutique wants women to know domestic violence doesn't discriminate.

The store holds a fashion show each year to raise money and awareness for a particular cause. This year the owners are working on behalf of the Dawn Center, a local women's shelter that assists victims of sexual, physical and emotional abuse.

They want people to know all women - regardless of how high or low they are on the income ladder - can be affected.

"There was a time when a lady was taking her son off the bus and she covered herself up," said Lois Dias, one of the store's owners who recalled visiting the shelter. "She didn't want to be seen."

Both she and her business partner, Janet Schuller, said the Dawn Center is "needed very badly" in Hernando County.

The emcee again this year is Carole Sanek. Last year, the fashion show raised money for hospice.

Sanek herself was a victim of domestic violence. She said public understanding of the problem is growing. More people also are aware it often occurs in rich neighborhoods and is not just relegated to the poorer pockets of society.

"Affluent women are showing up at domestic shelters 33 percent more often these days," she said. "That's across the country."

Sanek is a cancer survivor. The news devastated her, but taking part in charity walks and being amongst other cancer survivors was cathartic - and perhaps easier to talk about. Emotionally, the recovery wasn't as daunting.

Domestic violence is another animal, she said.

Victims are self-conscious and want to hide the stigma. They also still suffer from fear even after breaking free from the clutches of their attackers and abusers, she said.

Sanek was an energizing force during last year's fashion show. That was why Dias and Schuller wanted her back, they said.

Selling tickets to the 2009 show was a challenge, but all 400 tickets were purchased. The recession lingers, but Schuller is confident about a third-consecutive sellout.

"The recession has been tough on smaller businesses, but we'd like to encourage them to support us," she said. "We want to be sold out again."

Some of the prizes to be auctioned off include a long cabin weekend at Pigeon Forge, Tenn., a four-person round of golf at Black Diamond Ranch Golf and Country Club in Lecanto, a Black Swan Spa gift certificate, large-screen televisions and a house redesign consultation.

Some of the prizes are worth more than $500.

The show will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 13 at the Palace Grand. 275 Della Court.

The event will be kicked off with a luncheon and will be followed by the fashion show.

There will be 20 models of "all ages and sizes," Dias said.

Tickets are $30 each and are being sold at Fine Lines Boutique, 1361 Kass Circle in Spring Hill.

For more information, call Schuller or Dias at 352-666-8843 or the Dawn Center at 352-684-7191.

Fine Lines Boutique fashion show

When: 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 13

Where: Palace Grand, 275 Della Court

Ticket price: $30

For more information: 352-666-8843