Three Sorority Sisters from the University of Massachusetts chapter of Sigma Kappa modeled lingerie Friday night at Shear Bliss Day Spa in Amherst in support of a fundraiser to benefit the UMass Everywoman’s Center.
The Lingerie Show, open to both men and women, was sponsored by UndercoverWear, a Tewksbury based company specializing in lingerie, sleepwear and bedroom novelty items.
The event had smaller crowd than anticipated, which UndercoverWear agent Kimberly Lucas attributed to Friday night’s presidential debate and Red Sox game that coincided with the show.
“The Columbus Day weekend also added to the lack of students who attended,” said UMass senior Teresa Roach, who attended the lingerie show.
Red wine and cookies were served until 8 p.m., followed by a half hour lingerie show featuring pajamas, bras and panties modeled by Ashlee Gordon, Lynne Harrington and Katrina Skurka – all Sigma Kappa sorority sisters.
One particular product in the company’s party line called “Sensuous You” caused an outburst of laughter when Lucas mentioned that both the bra and panties have lace ribbon ties for “easy access.”
After the show, the products were put on clothing racks and the small number of people who attended were invited to shop for lingerie or book their own parties. None of the women had any previous modeling experience.
“Frankly we are all comfortable being naked,” said Harrington, a senior Biology major. “We don’t have inhabitations.”
The Sigma Kappa sisters did not purchase anything for themselves Friday night, but plan to hold their own fundraiser lingerie show for the Everywoman’s Center at their sorority house sometime in the near future.
“Two of my roommates work for the Everywoman’s Center and they loved the idea,” said Gordon, an Environmental Science major. “I think it’s a great fundraising idea,” said Skurka, who majors in Classics.
Still some saw fundraising for the Everywoman’s Center by selling lingerie degrading to women.
“It was quite the experience, but I don’t think it is the greatest way to raise money for the Everywoman’s Center because it promotes the objectification of women,” said Teresa Roach, a UMass senior majoring in English and Criminal Justice.
Amherst businesses who helped sponsor the event were The Mercantile, Collective Copies, Rao’s Coffee Roasting Company and The Souper Bowl.
Kimberly Lucas of Amherst has been the company’s sole Western Massachusetts’ salesperson for some 15 years. She hopes to get more involved with student fundraisers, and is thinking about running a show at a UMass residence hall.
“It’s one hundred percent supported by UndercoverWear itself to do fundraisers,” Lucas said. “They encourage their salespeople because it’s a good way to get involved with the community.”
UndercoverWear has been featured in media outlets such as CNN, Live with Regis and Kathy Lee, Playboy and Oprah. Lucas encourages those interested in hosting or attending a show to call (413) 549-2747.
