The Flagg Township Museum is hosting a fashion show fundraiser that will include fashions from previous decades and centuries. The event is Saturday, July 31 at the Rochelle Country Club beginning at noon. For more inforamtion, contact the museum at 815-562-3040. (Photo submitted)

ROCHELLE — A high-end fashion show is coming to Rochelle, but not fashions of this era.

The Flagg Township Historical Society will host its first fashion fundraiser that will feature men’s and women’s fashions from previous generations - and even previous centuries. The event will take place Saturday, July 31 at the Rochelle County Club beginning at noon and tickets for the show and luncheon are $25. Tables of eight are $175.

“I’ve always liked fashion and have been fascinated by clothes worn by generations before us. They are so entirely different than what we are accustomed to now,” said museum curator Khristen Landry when explaining why it was decided to do a historic fashion show as the fundraiser for the museum.

Landry has a point. As we went through garments, the women’s clothes in particular seemed rather foreign with their many layers and long everything - long sleeves, long skirts, long coats, long gloves. Not to mention the tall boots, high collars and heavy fabrics. It is no wonder smelling salts were in every cabinet as it’s hard to imagine wearing all these layers in the summer heat.

Landry said they have wonderful pieces all set to go, but are in need of clothing from the 1800s in particular; however, she’s happy to include outfits from any bygone era. She has 10 female models lined up for the event, but is in need of male models. One of the problems with fitting the models is size as overall people were smaller and not as tall then, and many times the women wore undergarments that made them even smaller.

Landry did say that the museum is lucky to have an array of military uniforms, some dating back nearly 150 years. If you have clothing you would like to donate for the event, contact Landry at 815-562-3040. You do not have to donate the clothes permenently, they will be returned following the fashion show.

The Flagg Township Museum is regularly open 11 a.m. till 4 p.m., Thursday through Sunday, and has many displays and photos of Rochelle history. Landry said that in early August they will be introducing a display featuring Franklin Kruger, a founding member of the historical society and retired high school art teacher. Kruger passed away recently and just prior to his death donated a box of photos, which will be added to his other donations over the years - farm equipment, much of his research, oringinal drawings and photos.

The fundraiser is the main one for the historical society and Landry appreciates all the support she has received thus far. The group looks forward to hosting the community and reminding area residents that, thankfully, when it comes to fashion history is not repeating itself.

For tickets and more information, call 815-562-3040.