Cartwheels. Shimmies. Spin moves. The crowd at M Penner was treated to it all as a group of distinguished gents rocked the runway for the annual Real Men Wear Pink fashion show and fundraiser in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The handsome heroes took to the catwalk in Uptown Park as part of the reveal of the Real Men Wear Pink kickoff, in which 20 local men have committed to raising a minimum $2,500 each.
More than 100 guests packed the show as the models, including Gow Media CEO David Gow, pulled off their best moves (CultureMap was the official sponsor of the event). The model men, each adorned in pink, included Andrew Cordes; Shelby Kibodeaux; Keith McWilliams; Dr. Kent Osborne; David Peck; Henry Richardson; Brian Wiegman; David Yeater; and Houston Fire Department assistant chief Michael Mire, a breast cancer survivor.
Yeater strutted the runway sporting a pink mohawk motorcycle helmet. Not to be outdone, Richardson wowed the crowd with a series of impressive cartwheels.
After the rockin’ runway show, Osborne explained the importance of breast cancer research. This year, an estimated 2,550 men will be diagnosed with the disease most commonly associated with women; 480 men will die.
Ben Rose — who co-chairs the event with Leisa Holland-Nelson — went from suave model and co-host to auctioneer, boldly enticing the enthusiastic crowd to help reach their $100,000 goal. A polite bidding battle ensued, with $8,000 raised on the spot for the American Cancer Society’s educational and research programs.
As of October 1, the campaign has raised $86,979. The gentleman who raises the most money during the month of October (some brave souls have pledged to wear pink every daily) will be crowned Man of the Year. Locals who donate to this year’s campaign will be granted free admission to the wrap party on November 6 at The Tasting Room Uptown Park.
Notable faces in the fab crowd included Gracie and Bob Cavnar, Ari Alexander, Dr. Franklin Rose, Mary Grace Gray, Keith and Shawntell McWilliams, Bruce Padilla, Tamara Klosz Bonar and Lenny Matuszewski, and Stephanie Tsuru.
The 2019 Real Men Wear Pink candidates and co-chair Leisa Holland-Nelson.
