NEWBURYPORT — With club music throbbing loudly, a slew of young models sauntered down a runway illuminated by large stage lights.
They were flanked on both sides by dozens of enthralled fashion lovers, many unable to keep their enthusiasm in check. Upon reaching the runway’s end, the models spun around, paused, pouted and then headed back until they disappeared behind a massive floral garland.
This scene didn’t take place in New York, Paris or Milan but rather Thursday night on State Street at Edit Style Lounge.
The roughly 30-minute fashion show, titled “Fleurs de Mode – A Fashion & Floral Immersion” was the brainchild of Edit Style Lounge owner Kim Lively and Amy McLaughlin, owner of Amy McLaughlin Flowers of Newburyport.
Many of the roughly 12 models came courtesy of Model Club Inc. of Boston while others were virtually picked off the streets of Newburyport. The models wore several different ensembles, ranging from evening wear to casual vacation wear to what one guest called everyday wear.
The first model to hit the runway was Lively’s daughter Emery, wearing large sunglasses and a white T-shirt saying, “Couture is an attitude.”
“Each time I went out, it got easier,” the 16-year-old said later.
For those paying attention, it was relatively easy to spot the professional models from amateurs with those in the latter category sometimes unable to suppress grins as the crowd hooped and hollered. The professionals maintained their steely-eyed distant stares, bobbing their shoulders and twisting their hips along the way.
Kim Lively said the show afforded she and McLaughlin, her former business neighbor, an opportunity to combine their talents and mesh their diverse backgrounds for an evening of fun and celebration.
McLaughlin admitted having some nerves as the show took shape, calling the process “stressful” at times but said the end result was totally worth it.
“It turned out really well,” McLaughlin said.
The show ended with a young man performing two back flips, drawing a large round of applause from the semi-stunned audience.
“I thought that was awesome, that was great,” said Angela Mitchell of Boxford.
The guests, some of whom paid more than $100, arrived at the boutique early and enjoyed cocktails while checking out the merchandise and engaging in small talk. A photo booth was set up at one end of the shop, allowing folks to memorialize the evening.
Asked if she could see herself hosting a fashion show again, Kim Lively didn’t waste any time answering.
“It will be a yearly thing,” she said.
Dave Rogers is the editor of the Daily News of Newburyport. Email him at: drogers@newburyportnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @drogers41008.