Julie Poppoon
Producer of the Ranch Chic Fashion Show Benefitting the American Cancer Society
By Blithe Wiley | Photography by Anna Monette Photography
This October 5th, 65 men, women, and children cancer survivors will “strut their stuff” at the 2024 Ranch Chic Fashion Show. Coordinating the myriad details that go into this annual fundraiser benefitting the American Cancer Society takes an army of volunteers who tirelessly dedicate their time and talents to the event. The Ranch Chic Fashion Show is part of the annual Cattle Baron Gala festivities, and the proceeds raised by both events fund the Society’s cancer research and patient assistance programs.
For Julie Poppoon, the show’s Producer, the Ranch Chic Fashion Show is both a passion and a labor of love. Having worked as a model since her college days at the University of Texas at Austin, Poppoon knows all about the attention to detail that a successful fashion show and fundraiser require. Plus, her father is a cancer survivor and volunteers each year as a cancer survivor model.
“We have cancer survivors who model in the show year after year,” she said. “It’s so wonderful to see these folks returning to participate year after year.”
Poppoon personally selects the outfits, boots, and accessories for each model, meeting with them in advance to get a sense of what outfits will best suit them. Cavender’s and Elegant Furs loan the clothes, boots, and accessories.
“I love to ‘bling it up’ for the models with stylish accessories and blingy boots,” Poppoon explained. “My motto is ‘More is More’ when it comes to the runway outfits.”
Poppoon helps with the fittings for the models and groups the models together to create a good flow for the show. She’s also in charge of putting the music together for the show.
“I take the music very seriously,” she said. “It’s really important to keep it so high energy to keep the models pumped up and the audience excited.”
When asked why people should support the Ranch Chic Fashion Show, Poppoon emphasized that cancer affects everybody. “This fundraiser raises money for life-saving cancer research and critical patient assistance programs.
“Also, the event is so special because it celebrates the survivors’ strength, courage, perseverance, and hope,” she continued. “It provides a night where they can forget about how scary and painful cancer can be. It celebrates these survivors so they feel beautiful, important, and successful.”
The event’s volunteers recruit sponsorships, head up the decorations, and handle countless other details. Two volunteers Poppoon is particularly grateful for are Registered Nurse Julie Hudson and Photographer Anna Monette.
“Julie volunteers her services each year to help with organizing the volunteers. She is indispensable in all the coordination and help she provides. And Anna donates her services to take the models’ headshots for the program. Also, we could not make this event a success without the leadership of Michal Waechter, the longtime Chairperson of the Ranch Chic Fashion Show.”
Outside her role as the Fashion Show’s producer, Poppoon wears many hats. She serves as a housing consultant and financial consultant for affordable multifamily housing. She is also a new bride, having married Christopher Jeffers this past June.
For more information about the Ranch Chic Fashion Show, visit sanantonio.acscbb.org/otherevents/
