Follow the links above to view photo albums of our fundraiser From Russia to China with Love.  Just double click on the photo's for a larger image and bits of the Katherine Shaw story.  This event featured vintage fashions from the collection of Alex and Betty Shaw. Alex's mother, Katherine, was born in Imperial Russia. In 1917 at the time of the Russian Revolution, Katherine fled with her family to Harbin, China to escape the Bolsheviks. She met and married Alex's father, an officer in the Czar's army. Alex arrived a few years later...born in Harbin. His father was killed during the conflict and Katherine and Alex were left in Harbin to continue their lives. Katherine soon met Commander Shaw, a American Naval officer. They married and started their lives together. Of course, being married to a dashing American Naval officer required a lot of entertaining....hence the beautiful ball gowns. Being a proper Russian woman, Katherine designed all of her gowns and had them made by Chinese seamstresses...they are pure Russian designs and were a joy to view.