Frequently, fashion shows are all about, well, fashion.

The way the Point Defiance Zoo Society did it for the Fashion Tea Saturday at the Emerald Queen Casino, the subjects were fun and fashion, with the addendum to read “fund-raising.”

High points were plenty, from the Tom Jones opener “What’s New Pussycat” reinforcing the Purrrrfect theme, with a Tom Jones who looked suspiciously like Jack Black.  In a good way, as I dig JB and thing Tom is oogie.

More high points: the cake auction, with hot men in tuxes tempting the audience with dessert decadence.  Perhaps it was the heat of the men that drove bidding frenzy to over $300 for several cakes, which did indeed sound dreamy, especially when paired with a hot, topless man to serve it â€" but it was interesting to me that while cakes were hot, a few of the auctioned trips sold less quickly, despite the valiant attempts by Larry Stokes.

Stokes did manage to gain the Zoo at least $1,000 through two bidding splits, where the two highest bidders both won prizes.

I was teary-eyed by the generosity of many, when contributions were solicited to fund such things as school tours, walrus feedings, and outdoor ed programs, and I was awed to be in the presence of people so committed to helping sustain such an entity as the zoo, which brings so many great things to Tacoma.

As the event closed, though, I was stoked to see my boutiquin’ homies all representin’ for the 253, from Dame Lola (I suspect the Nordstrom intro was erroneously placed before the lovely lantern-sleeved Miguelina blouse, yellow dress, and tunic top that I recognized from the shop, whereas I did not recognize the evening gowns shown under the shop’s name) â€" to the hot styles from Red Line, Rocky & Coco’s, Tiki Lounge, Cake, Bloom, and other local shops that brought heat wrapped in style to the runway.

And as the grand finale?

How fun to see Rusty George, whose company designed the event’s graphics, himself (attired beguilingly in a fabulous bridal gown courtesy of the Wedding Bell) with his incendiary fiancée, attired beguilingly in a tux.

Rad, is all I can say. â€" Jessica Corey-Butler