Models Strut Their Stuff in Support of a Cause
Last Sunday, I had the pleasure of covering a runway show in New York City, that was more than just a fashion event. It was a powerful celebration of resilience, beauty, and the human spirit. The event aimed to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer, featuring a group of inspiring models who had all undergone breast amputations. The sponsors played a crucial role in making the event a success, providing financial support and raising awareness about their important work.
The Break Free Foundation holds a show twice a year. This show they partnered with 3 amazing groups :
The Sober Curator: Your ultimate resource for all things related to recovery and zero-proof living. Join the revolution of those who recover out loud and discover the latest sober travel, events, merch, and more at thesobercurator.com
Just Us Teenz: In 1993 LaFrances created Just-Us-Kidz Productions, an organization catering to providing opportunity, platforms, and support to promising young talented throughout the United States. The models for Just-Us-Kidz have traveled throughout United States, walking the runway for top designers such as, GAP, Macy's, and Lord and Taylor.
Flat Out Love: Empowers individuals post-breast amputation by fostering mental health and body acceptance due to illnesses such as breast cancer and encourages the normalization of living life FLAT.
A Sober and Stylish Affair
The event was held in a chic and modern venue, with a live DJ (DJ Price I$ Right) setting the mood with upbeat and empowering music. The atmosphere was electric as the models gracefully strutted down the runway, showcasing stunning outfits from a variety of designers. The focus was on celebrating the beauty and diversity of the models, as well as highlighting the latest trends in fashion.
The event was hosted by Claire Comai. No stranger to the fashion industry she worked fer way up from intern to showcasing her own collection at NYFW. Claire is a proud member of the "recovering out loud" community at 5 years sober and interviews to increase awareness for destigmatizing addiction and mental illness.
The Designers
Bold Swim: Tiffany Asamoah, is the visionary behind BOLD Swim. Our brand embodies a fresh, minimalist take on women's swim wear. We believe in effortless elegance, crafting pieces that seamlessly blend style with comfort.
Andie Swim: We created Andie to make swimsuit shopping a breeze with stylish staples engineered for modern life. No more adjusting, tugging, or pulling: just well-made, well-cut suits that look great, keep everything where it should be, and feel so comfortable - you'll forget you're wearing anything at all.
Chablis Designs: Tyrone Chablis is one of the architects of the thriving New Jersey fashion scene. Most notable is Chablis' strong commitment to cultivating and supporting the aspirations of emerging models and designers through his ongoing collaboration with Just Us Teenz, a nonprofit dedicated to providing youth with opportunities in the arts.
Half-Flat is a line for women who had a unilateral mastectomy. Founded by Lori Olcott, this unicorn designer has been living half-flat for five years.
Dmarxx Design is a hand crafted leather bag company that was birthed and bottomed in Brooklyn, NY, now currently creating in Connecticut. Our bags illustrate where edginess meets elegance and are made for all to wear.
AnaOno: Founder and CEO, Dana Donofree, after her breast surgery scoured the globe just looking for a bra that fit but continued to show up braless. AnaOno may have been born out of necessity, but today it gives us a reason to celebrate what makes us different.
Thistle and Spire was proudly female-founded in Brooklyn in 2015, Thistle and Spire was created to give a beautiful boost to anyone who needs a lift, literally and figuratively.
Nancy Volpe Beringer: at age 64, Nancy made history as the oldest ever designer on Project Runway, and paved her way to the finale through her creativity, determination, and quest for melding sustainability and inclusivity.
She presented the first ever zero-waste Project Runway finale at New York Fashion Week with models of all sizes, races, gender identities and abilities.
Nancy's Project Runway experience strengthened her determination to promote more diversity, sustainability and inclusivity in the fashion industry. An array of challenges brought inspired Volpe Beringer to create The Vault by Volpe Beringer. It is the world's first and only fully accessible designer luxury platform which offers adaptable options and complimentary consultations for the disabled community.
About Break Free Foundation
The Break Free Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing scholarships to those seeking treatment for substance use disorders. Our mission is to aid individuals and families living with behavioral health, substance use, co-occurring disorders, and eating disorders to find viable, quality treatment to find a path to and through recovery through education, support, harm reduction, and advocacy.
Learn more at https://www.breakfreefoundation.org/
The evening was a testament to the power of fashion to inspire and bring people together. It was a night of celebration, empowerment, and hope, all in the name of a cause that affects millions of people around the world.
0 Comments