47th Annual Ebony Fashion Fair

Crave a fashion fix but lost your invitation to the 2005 Ready-To-Wear show in Paris?

No problem. Just keep Wednesday open: Couture is on its way.

Thanks to the Ladies Civic League, the 47th Annual Ebony Fashion Fair will once again combine high fashion and a good cause — all for a $20 ticket and two hours of time.

"I believe in the show. I think it's wonderful," said Sabrena Emmett, a league member who's on the fashion show committee. "This year is the 47th — I think I've been to 23."

The show's appearance raises money for the league's philanthropy: scholarships for African-American students in Springfield.

"Our basic mission is to encourage minority youth to reach their educational potential," said Carlene Ferguson, league member and show committee chairperson.

"Our motto: Education is our business," she said.

The Ladies Civic League began with a group of minority women who joined together in 1986 as Springfield's Ladies of the '80s.

"I guess we weren't looking into the future," joked Ferguson about the original name.

The group's first focus was to raise money for the United Negro College Fund.

"And then we realized if we could raise funds, why not raise funds for the kids in Springfield," explained Ferguson, a charter member.

After a few more name changes, the organization settled on Ladies C