Washington women will be “Dressing the Part,” as Arts of the Pamlico brings back the fundraiser for the second year running.

The event is set for 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Turnage Theatre, and is the creation of Jeffery Phipps, retired professor of costume design at East Carolina University’s School of Theatre & Dance.

Entitled “Dressing the Part II: Leading Ladies & Second Bananas,” the fundraiser features costumes from past and present.

“Some are from private collections. Some are from ECU School of Theatre & Dance. Some are from the (ECU) opera, and some are just vintage pieces I have,” Phipps said.

Refreshments will be followed by a fashion show of costumes from Broadway, film history and local theatrical productions. However, models will be making their appearances in twos: a leading lady along with her sidekick, or “second banana,” Phipps said.

“So that would be like Lucy and Ethel — Ethel was the second banana,” Phipps laughed.

The emcee of the event is Robert Caprio, an associate professor of acting at ECU, and Caprio will provide details of each costume, with some interesting asides, Phipps said.

“There’s going to be little stories about each thing, along with the description of it,” he said.

Afterwards, attendees will be able to see the garments up close as models mingle with the crowd in a post-fashion show reception from 4–4:30 p.m.

Phipps has been an integral part of Arts of the Pamlico fundraising since his retirement from ECU, and on-stage fashion is his niche. The combination of the two is his way of supporting the local arts community.

“This is what I’m considering part of my contribution to the development of the arts and the supporting of the arts, using whatever expertise and knowledge I have,” Phipps said. “I also think it’s fun and interesting. … It should be a fun afternoon, and it might be a little bit of a walk down memory lane for some people.”

Arts of the Pamlico’s Turnage Theatre is located at 150 W. Main St., Washington. Tickets to “Dressing the Part II” are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.