VALLEY VILLAGE, Calif. - Kendra's Closet, a small boutique in the east San Fernando Valley, hosted an informal lingerie fashion show and mixer Thursday in celebration of Valentine's Day.
The event featured Michelle Manhart, a former U.S. Air Force training instructor who was relieved of her military duty after posing nude in Playboy magazine in 2007. Manhart took time out of her busy filming schedule to be part of the event.
"I just finished filming a movie with Ron Howard and am also working on a horror film called The Taxidermist, which will both be out in the next year," she told AVN Novelty Business. "A friend of a friend told me about this and it's right up my alley. I'm having a lot of fun. What could be better than being around a bunch of half naked women?"
The models posed throughout the evening while mingling with about 50 attendees, wearing outfits by Dreamgirl International, Shirley of Hollywood and Rene Rofe.
In addition to Manhart, models included locals such as Candice Rans and the mother-and-daughter team Joanna Dierck and Farren Brodie.
At the event, Rans told AVN Novelty Business she heard about the show when she met Kendra's Closet owner Sherif Reyes at a nearby Starbucks.
"He talked to me about the show, and I came into the store and thought it looked great," she said. "I just decided to go for it."
Reyes also hired mainstream model Jonathan Dannenfelser to model evening wear for men.
"I got a call from a friend letting me know that [Reyes] was looking for a male model," Dannenfelser told ANB. "I went into [the store] and introduced myself to the owner, and he said that we would use me."
Reyes said he couldn't be more pleased with the turnout.
"We ended up having approximately 50 people attend the event," he said. "They loved the discount that was offered and applied it to their purchase. Kendra's Closet is also now featuring Rhonda Casale, [a] clairsentient energy healer specializing in conscious, loving relationships."
Casale called the fashion show a "huge success," thanks to the models.
"Sherif hosted a fantastic lingerie show that was well attended by many living in the Valley Village area," she said. "It was a high-energy evening, with guests treated to wine, hors d'oeuvres and a lingerie show featuring Michelle Manhart and Candice Rans, lead singer of Vanity Fair the Band. After the fashion show, guests were invited to mingle with the models and shop for their favorite lingerie."
Reyes said Kendra's Closet is available for hosting private parties.
"The rental of the store is free for a minimum of 10 people after 7 p.m.," he explained. "We include wine, cheese and vegetable trays. For every purchase, there is a 15 percent discount on all merchandise, except novelty and toy items."
To view of gallery of photos from the event click here.
