Charity fashion show to debut

Jann Carl of “Entertainment Tonight” will merge two of her interests this weekend when she returns to Columbia to host the “Model Citizen Fashion Show.”

The show will benefit the MU Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Carl has supported related causes since her son was diagnosed with epilepsy.

The show will also bring Carl back to the town where her mother lives, and MU, where she graduated with a journalism degree in 1982.

“I think it’s fun and upbeat and creative,” Carl said of the benefit. “It showcases the Thompson Center and shows the emerging designers in the area.”

The benefit will feature the creations of student designers from MU and Stephens College, as well as clothing from boutiques and larger stores in Columbia, Kansas City and St. Louis.

Marianne Thompson, a senior majoring in textile and apparel management at MU, came up with the idea for the fashion show. Her uncle and aunt, Bill and Nancy Thompson, made the $8.5 million donation to finance the center in 2005.

“We really wanted something different. There are always so many formal charity events,” said Cheri Ghan, director of external relations for the School of Health Professions and the Thompson Center.

This will be the first fundraiser for the center, which leases space at 300 Portland St. behind Columbia Regional Hospital. “This is a real introduction of the Thompson Center to the community, and it’s exciting to do that with such a fun event to kick it off,” Ghan said.

By Thursday, almost 600 people had bought tickets to the runway show and 350 of those had purchased tickets for a reception beforehand and a party afterward.

The Thompson Center conducts research and provides treatment, therapy and information on autism and other neurological disorders. The center also teaches students how to work with patients. Disorders related to autism affect one out of 150 people, Ghan said.

“The more we learn we learn about these disorders the more we can help,” Carl said.