West Orange Nursing Facility Holds Great Gatsby Fashion Show

WEST ORANGE, NJ — For some residents of the Daughters of Israel nursing facility in West Orange, the recent Great Gatsby-themed fashion show meant good times with fellow residents and a complement of old-fashioned cocktails and hors d'oeuvres.

But for others, it meant a stroll down the runway in their best Roaring Twenties-inspired attire, just as if they were living out the pages of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel.

“The goal of the Great Gatsby Fashion Show, as with our other special programming, is to bring fun and interactive activities to our residents,” the facility’s staff told Patch. “We provide many opportunities throughout the year for our residents to glam up and celebrate, whether it’s the Oscars, New Year’s Eve, a tea party, summer luaua or fashion show.”

Rachel Katz, the volunteer coordinator of the fashion show, said that having witnessed her grandparents go through the aging process firsthand, volunteer work with the senior citizens of Daughters of Israel is very important to her.

“I love organizing the DOI fashion show every year because the purpose of the event is for the residents’ enjoyment,” she told Patch. “I want the residents to smile and strut their stuff down the runway, making them feel young again and full of life, and in turn, it makes all of my efforts worth it.”

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Photos: Daughters of Israel

Main photo: Resident Gladys Crecenzio struts down the runway, mirroring the novel’s Daisy Buchanan

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