AEPhi trunk show to sell clothing, donate to charity

To help combat breast cancer, the women of Alpha Epsilon Phi will sponsor a trunk show from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today at the IU Art Museum.

AEPhi and the New York-based LF Stores will sell accessories and clothing.

The owner of LF is a member of AEPhi, from a different college chapter and donates for AEPhi’s philanthropies. Ten percent of all sales benefit Sharsheret, a nonprofit Jewish organization that supports young women recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

Last year’s trunk show raised $1,500 for the charity after $15,000 worth of merchandise was sold.

“Indiana is actually the most successful show,” said senior Alissa Podber, event co-chair. “We’ve put on some of the biggest shows.”

Members of AEPhi will work in “shifts” promoting the event throughout campus and assisting customers at the show.

“This is a really unique way to reach out to people all over campus,” Podber said. “We’re not only introducing people to our philanthropy and our house, but also to these clothes that can’t be found anywhere near here.”

In the last year, sales increased 150 percent, and Podber attributes this to the sales location. In its first year, the sale took place at AEPhi’s house. Last year, it moved to the Indiana Memorial Union.

Podber said she believes the sale this year at the IU Art Museum will create a more exciting, stylish, fashion-oriented environment.

“It might not get as much traffic,” Podber said. “But it’s a really great, modern facility so we’re excited.”

Podber said students should expect a wide variety of prices for the clothing, scarves, jewelry and hats.

— Hallie Robbins