Berkchique Dresses The Women Of The RI Region

Lisa Green reports from Dalton. For some, the now-annual Berkchique! charity clothing sale is the biggest shopping opportunity of the year, and this year’s, held at the former Crane Stationery factory, was no different. With perhaps one exception: the rack of Jean Paul Gaultier (new, with tags) that Berkshires fashion icon and event chair Vicki Bonnington snapped up on eBay with the sale in mind. While the event runs the weekend, the Friday, May 6 evening First Dibs Party and Sale brought in a stream of shoppers at $25 a pop who, regardless of what they bought, snagged a deal and took their purchases away in a totebag donated by Pittsfield's own Blue Q with a surprise inside courtesy of Jane Iredale. The beneficiaries of the event include 1Berkshire, IS183 Art School, WAM Theatre and CATA (which had its own rack of dresses for sale). And if raising funds for these nonprofits wasn't enough, Berkchique! also raised the style quotient of the ladies and men of the region. Above, Laura Wolf, director of member services for the Berkshire Visitors Bureau, and Berkchique! event organizer Rebecca Weinman stand ready to fortify shoppers with wine and beer.

Volunteer Debbie Wiswesser consults with Lisa Peltier of Berkshire Homes and Condos; Linda Briggs, an art teacher, with Gail Briggs and Diane Arduini.

Amy Krzanik, Rural Intelligence's assistant editor, with her sister, Dina Krzanik; Glass artist Garrett Sadler and Sue White.

Fashionista Vicki Bonnington poses with a mannequin displaying a skirt made from men's shirts, created by one of her favorite designers, aimee g.

Elizabeth Neale and volunteer Kate Hill, who works at the Outlet at Pine Cone Hill; Benchmark Real Estate owner/broker Nancy Kalodner and Lynne Sebastian, an executive recruiter for Fairfield Partners.