Fashion show for a cause, and a husband in hiding

Brian Bouchey stole the show at Sunday’s Tribute to Transforming Lives.

Fashion show producer Becca Beers with models Benita Zahn, Naomi Campbell and Eliza DeRocker, who’s been walking in Natalie Sillery’s charity fashion shows for 20 years. “She has always mentored me, so I do it for her,” she says. “She’s the best in the business. Nothing beats the excitement of being zipped into your dress.”

The 1863 Club’s A Tribute to Transforming Lives fashion show and lunch

has always produced both the razzle dazzle and powerful emotional impact required of Saratoga’s summer gala season — and this past Sunday was no different. From the backstage shenanigans and fabulous fashions worn by the who’s who of Saratoga, the sold-out event definitely dazzled.

But it was Brian Bouchey and his mega-watt smile that stole the show.

When siblings Barbara and Brian Bouchey took their shortened turn down the catwalk — Brian leaning on his sis instead of his walker — his mega-watt smile lit up the room.

“Our hearts are filled with love and gratitude for your generous support and being here today, and the journey to have empowered Brian and thousands of others to live a cherished and dignified life.”

—Barbara Bouchey

Brian has been with Living Resources — one of two nonprofits that the event fundraises for — for more than 20 years and has been a shining star during the Tribute fashion event’s four-year run. His sister, Barbara Bouchey, this year announced that her brother is a year into an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, a disease that progresses rapidly in individuals with Down syndrome. Brian — with the help of a walker — stood by her side, looking dapper in a bowtie, hat and floral print suspenders.

“Brian and I on this day are going to cherish being here with all of you,” Barbara told the crowd. “We're going to cherish walking the fashion runway to strut our stuff…And tomorrow, we will cherish the time that we are able to spend and share together.”

The male models, dressed by Union Hall Supply Co, kicked off the fashion show.

Elizabeth Martin, Living Resources CEO,

filled newbies in on the organization. “For those who don't know us, for more than 50 years, we have been supporting people with disabilities and their life challenges with dignity, independence, and purpose,” she said. “We do that through a whole spectrum of programs [including] residential and employment programs — we’re really, really trying to get people to work…We support people with brain injuries as well, and it's really all about helping people to reach their maximum independence, to find their purpose in life.

“Because every single one of us has a purpose for being here on this earth.”

Jeff Yule, who called his Building on Love nonprofit “a small, very merry group,”

said, “We help people with their bills when a child is diagnosed with cancer, or a child is born three months premature — a family’s life changes in a day and one of the first referrals they get outside of the hospital setting is Building on Love. We try to get there right away, before they fall behind on their bills.”

Pre-fashion show: Beers with some more of the models (left) and (right) with 'Times Union' photog Joe Potruck and Natalie Sillery. "Joe never misses the celebrated Trunkette toast," says Beers. "It's an old toast that leaves the veteran models feeling nostalgic. There's a lot of legacy there."

“The adventures of Natalie Sillery and her Trunkettes.”

—Building on Love Executive Director Jeff Yule’s affectionate nickname for the fashion show

Meanwhile, backstage…

• Times Union photog Joe Potruck talked the show’s producer Beeca Beers into posing on all of the Champagne boxes stacked up in a dumpster. Model Joyce White called the moment her favorite.

• Beers was affectionately deemed “the louder one” of the fashion show team behind host Natalie Sillery — owner of Saratoga Trunk — which also included Kate Connell, Rita Cox, and Ryan Mortka.

• Some of the group’s most-experienced vets (Sillery’s 28-year-run producing charity fashion shows once raised money for Ronald McDonald House Charities) holding court backstage: Benita Zahn, Eliza DeRocker and Laura Petrovic.

• Models had their hats adjusted to shade one eye.

"I have to stretch three times a day for a few days before the show — otherwise, I'll pay for it for a week."

—Becca Beers, who lugs racks and racks of heavy beaded gowns, gorgeous evening dresses and the upcycled RTW by Coutaura to and from backstage every year. After the show, her husband, Brett, was spotted taking a solo break at the Jim Dandy. “Too much fashion?” I asked. He laughed: “Never.”

First two pics by Jess Troisi. Right: Paul Hennesseey (center) with Elizabeth and Jason Martin

Cowboy-style hats had a moment this year.

Keep scrolling for 28 more fabulous looks!