PORTSMOUTH — High fashion met history underneath a giant tent on the grounds of Strawbery Banke Museum on Saturday night.

During the “Passion for Fashion” gala, contemporary designers showcased pieces inspired by the clothing and textile collections held by the historic museum and featured in this year's exhibit, “Thread: Stories of Fashion at Strawbery Banke, 1740-2012.”

The Passion for Fashion gala raised over $100,000 for educational programs at the museum.

The event was hosted by Lawrence A. and Janet Y. Larose of New York City. The couple purchased a home in the South End, near Strawbery Banke, seven years ago, and said the museum is one of their favorite aspects of the neighborhood.

Many of their New York City friends filled the tent at Strawbery Banke, wearing fancier hats and higher heels than are often seen this far north.

Local Strawbery Banke Museum supporter Molly Bolster, executive director of the Gundalow Company, said she went to an area second-hand shop for her vintage fancy dress, and also found a matching hat to complete the ensemble.

She said longtime fans of Strawbery Banke will do whatever they can to support the museum, and in addition to many new faces, there were also many familiar ones.

More than 400 people attended the gala event.

Bolster said the event helps to bring a new perspective to the museum's history, and she hopes it helps people to make a connection between the past and the present.

“There is a relevance in what we wear today to what people wore before,” Bolster said.

Austin Scarlett of Project Runway and Lifetime TV fame served as the Master of Ceremonies for the event and also designed a piece based on Gov. Ichabod Goodwin's granddaughter's wedding dress.

He said as a designer he has always been inspired by history and immediately said yes when Janet Y. Larose asked him to participate in the Passion for Fashion event.

He said what he likes about Strawbery Banke, and the textile exhibit in particular, is being able to imagine the people who lived in those clothes and the Puddle Dock homes.

“Museums like this help to fill in the blanks where history books can't always provide all the information,” Scarlett said.

Strawbery Banke's “Thread” exhibit is on display at the museum through Oct. 31 and features historic and contemporary fashion.