The recent "Catwalk for a Cure," always a glam evening, could have been dubbed "Beauty and the Beast," beauty being the lavish fashions by Marchesa and the jewels from Tenenbaum & Co. The beast? Sarcoma cancer.
Though nothing could taint the sophisticated razzle-dazzle of the evening, the mission of raising funds for the Amschwand Sarcoma Cancer Foundation was never far from the forefront as the evening's honorees were a survivor, a doctor and a patient currently undergoing chemotherapy.
Guests also loved the 8-foot long Tenenbaum ice bar where for $100 guests could get a numbered glass of Veuve Cliquot and a chance to win a diamond valued at $10,000.
Spirits ran high in the Royal Sonesta ballroom where The Events Co. brought in a giant crystal chandelier and Tenenbaum's Tony Bradfield and Kevin Black not only decorated the chairs with sparkling bling but also the tabletops with diamond collections as centerpieces. Guests also loved the 8-foot long Tenenbaum ice bar where for $100 guests could get a numbered Tenenbaum glass of Veuve Clicquot and a chance to win a diamond valued at $10,000.
Special guests, courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue, were Marchesa designers Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig, who enlivened the ballroom with a show of their exquisite gowns.
Applause, applause to chairs Lindley and Jason Arnoldy and Francine and Westy Ballard as well as to ASCF founder Missy Bellinger. The evening raised more than $600,000 for research into the cancer. Key players included emcee Deborah Duncan and auctioneer Jeff Smith.
In the spotlight on this evening were Celebration of Survivorship honoree Lauri Mauldin, Commitment to Care award recipient Dr. Dejka Araujo and Commitment to the Cause award recipients Alexandra and Brady Knight, the latter award presented by the couple's close friend Greggory Burk. In a moving presentation Brady Knight courageously shared his wife's latest chapter in the sarcoma journey.
Sarcoma survivors walking the runway in a celebratory conclusion to the night were Amanda Hawes, David Solomon, Dr. Stephen Fadem and Caroline Richards. Their victories were honored with a standing ovation from the crowd that included James Bellinger, Stephanie and Ernie Cockrell, Rosemarie Johnson, Jana and Scotty Arnoldy, Kathryn Smith, Lisa and Michael Holthouse and John and Becca Cason Thrash.
The event had a floral theme.
