The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

PATRICIA Chatti of Cia Monet said she learned about the women's suffrage movement through articles published in the 2012 telephone directory.

The information sparked her to research further, and in the end, Ms Chatti decided to bring people together and fashion to life for the purpose of creating awareness for the cause.

The Beauties at Brunch fashion event on Sunday commemorated the 50th anniversary of the suffrage movement, and the 30th anniversary of the Crisis Centre, which has been a strong advocate of women in the Bahamas.

Held under the patronage of Dr Sandra Dean Patterson, director of the Bahamas Crisis Center, Ms Chatti said the inaugural Beauties at Brunch honored all of Dr Patterson's work over the years with the Crisis Center.

"I figured that fashion would have been the perfect platform, this way we can cross over lines of color, age, social classes and all of that stuff. Fashion is something women are interested in," she said.

Being a volunteer of the Crisis Center, Ms Chatti said this is her way of giving back. "I am on their committee in terms of putting events together for them and we have several events coming up, but I wanted to do my part, to be able to give back," she said.

Catching up with Dr Patterson at the event, she told Tribune Entertainment that she was very flattered and enthusiastic when approached by Patricia to be apart of the event because the Crisis Center is now in its 30th year of work. She said Beauties at Brunch helped to launch the centre's upcoming activities.

"To me this is a wonderful opportunity and this is the first time the Crisis Center has partnered with an event such as this one. It's a beautiful environment, the atmosphere is nice and I just think this is so different and so unusual," said Dr Patterson.

She said hopefully Beauties at Brunch will be the beginning of other partnerships with Bahamian business persons and fashion designers.

Ms Chatti said she hopes to hold a second Beauties at Brunch in November under the same concept of celebrating women.