PASADENA — Hospice of the Chesapeake raised more than $300,000 at its annual Fashion for a Cause event held June 4 at the Fluegel Alumni Center in Annapolis.
The sold-out evening featured a red-carpet experience with food from local restaurants and food trucks, along with a runway show showcasing looks from 15 Annapolis-area retailers and designers. Professional models joined community members on the stage.
WBAL NewsRadio’s Bryan Nehman served as emcee for the fifth consecutive year. The organization inducted him into its “five-timers’ club” with a branded jacket and pin. Event committee member April Boera, whose late husband was Nehman’s college roommate, helped him into the jacket during the presentation.
Craig Coates Couture returned to the runway for a second year with high-fashion designs previously featured at New York and Los Angeles Fashion Week. The show included casual coastal wear and elegant evening attire.
Women’s fashions were modeled by Jaedyn Archinard, Heather Atcherson, Flora Bartek, April Boera, Ashley Calo, Cintia Castaneda, Jacqueline Coche, Megan Cooper, Liz Gillette, Terri Hussman, Alice Lao, Cierra Ploof, Challie Samaras, Caroline Shoults, Dana Smith, Rose Walker and Amy Wise.
Men’s fashions were modeled by Mike Baldwin, Jeremiah Batucan, Doug Beaver, Brian Berger, Joseph Calo, Aaron Gaskins, John Hussman, Craig Johnson, Mike Mayfield, Jarret Simpson, Alex Strachan and Patrick Wergin.
The event was supported at the Haute Couture level by John & Cathy Belcher and the Brian & Patricia Giese Foundation. Additional sponsors included Genesis of Annapolis and MHE Foundation at the Red Carpet level; Gene Deems: Helping Chesapeake Kids turn sorrow into strength, Collet Guerard, The Hussman Foundation, Shirley Ip, Russ Jones, Merrill Lynch – Murray, McGehrin & Shiery, The Michael Stanley Foundation, Nancy Smit & Julien Hecht and Laura Westervelt at the Fashionista level; and Campion Hruby Landscape Architects, Dr. Maria Colucciello, The Davies Family Foundation, First Citizens Bank and Sullivan Surgery & Spa at the Supermodel level. Celebrity-level sponsors included Vanessa Aburn, Annapolitan Investment Group, Mike & Gina Baldwin, Georgie Clark, Curio Wealth, Engrained Design Works, M&T Bank, Patient First, Speight Cook Studio and Temple Annapolis, Paul Mitchell Partner School.
Bar sponsorship came from Georgie Clark and entertainment sponsorship from The Jennifer Wells & Taylor Wells Family Trust.
Proceeds support Hospice of the Chesapeake’s community health programs, with emphasis on grief support services for children and families facing serious illness or loss. The organization serves residents across the region, including Southern Maryland communities.
