The Alpha Chi Omega sorority’s 12th annual fashion show Sunday was its most successful ever, with $28,500 raised for two different charities.

A Chi O President Michelle Miller said $25,000 of the money raised will go to the Women’s Center, an organization that helps women and children who have been victims of domestic violence.

The rest will go to “Kristin’s Story,” a program that promotes awareness about acquaintance rape, depression and suicide, Miller said.

Money was raised through sponsorship, ticket sales and a silent auction, Miller said. They beat last year’s amount by more than $6,000, she said. 

Eight retailers provided clothing for the fashion show, including Men’s Wearhouse, Whatchamacallit, Texas Couture and Luke’s Locker, Miller said. Makeup for the models was done by Moda Salon and Spa, she said.

“What’s good about this fashion show is that not only does the money go to a great cause, but local retailers also get to see the benefits of the event,” Miller said.

Miller said models represented most of the groups on campus, including members from all 10 Panhellenic sororities, eight fraternities, Eta Iota Sigma, Beta Upsilon Chi, Alpha Kappa Alpha, the Interfraternity and Panhellenic Council presidents and Student Government Association members.

Freshman business major Josh Ault said he originally agreed to be a model for Sigma Chi because he thought it would be fun, but said he ended up walking away with a deeper understanding of domestic violence.

“I really learned a lot from the event,” Ault said.

Laura Hilgart, development director of the Women’s Center for Tarrant County, said the fashion show was an amazing event, with nearly 500 people in attendance, wonderful food and a terrific silent auction.

“The fact that A Chi O women with full-time responsibilities put in the time and effort to create such a wonderful event for the Women’s Center and Kristin’s Story is so wonderful,” Hilgart said.

Hilgart said she was really excited to hear that $25,000 was raised for the Women’s Center, considering this year marks their 25th anniversary. 

The contribution of A Chi O to the Women’s Center doesn’t stop at the fashion show, Hilgart said. Last Thursday, the sorority brought nearly 400 diapers to the center for low-income mothers, she said. 

“TCU’s chapter of A Chi O is a huge gift to the Women’s Center,” Hilgart said. “We are extremely grateful.”