With the lights turned up to a max and the runway barely visible to those on the periphery, the first annual “Raw Beauty” fashion show to benefit the Wisconsin Breast Cancer Coalition has the makings of becoming a yearly favorite, but at this point is still experiencing growing pains. The industrial Harley Davidson Museum seemed like the perfect setting for a show titled “Raw Beauty,” however the actual space was nothing more than a large conference room with an elevated catwalk at one end and assorted tables and a bar at the other.

While doors were scheduled to open at 6 p.m. for an hour of cocktailing before the actual show started at 7, at 25 minutes past 6, the models were still doing a walk through and guests reduced to waiting in line. When the doors did open, a mad rush to the bar and to claim seats left those in between nsure what to do. Toya Washiongton signed on to emcee the event, and proved to be the perfect charming, witty host. Joking that the crowd should enjoy their drinks because she had to stay sober for the 10 o’clock news, Washington looked stunning in a leopard print dress provided by Lela boutique.

Lela opened the show with an all-vintage run provided by two collectors out of Chicago (the collectors actually loan out clothes to Tory Burch for inspiration, aka for her to rip off the vintage pieces), which will be included in a trunk show on Thursday at the store from 3-6 p.m.

The shoes, provided by Shoo of the Third Ward, were an edgy alternative to using the models’ shoes (as is the norm in these types of shows). Stephanie Horne showcased a run full of looks you’d expect to see when breezing through the streets of LA, and Detour delivered with their usual polished, urban-chic look.

A chattering audience droned on throughout the speech by the guest of honor, a breast cancer survivor, eliciting a bevy of sharp shh-es from random audience members. But with the lights at nearly full strength and the catwalk spotlights lost in the overhead neon’s, unless you actually had a seat, the show was more of a distraction than headlining act.

Logistically speaking, the show could have been planned out better, but as far as raising money and awareness for the Wisconsin Breast Cancer Coalition, was a resounding success. Due to a lack of fashion centered events, and paired with excellent promotion, the stylish set rallied around and crowds of people showed up. No complaints to the clothing, although generally speaking it was quite “Milwaukee.”