Regular readers of this site have been following my journey as a "Star" in this year's inaugural Fashion Stars For A Cause (FSFC) Gala. After the death of her oldest son, FSFC founder Yvonne Crum sought a way to bring attention and understanding to the usually taboo subject of suicide. Through the Suicide and Crisis Center's Fresh Faces of Fashion program, she paired the unlikely topics of suicide and fashion together eight years ago and created an annual event in partnership with Modern Luxury, Stanley Korshak and Park Place Motorcars that has raised more than $1 million in its first five years. Earlier this year, Modern Luxury and Crum chose to part ways and took her vision, freshened it up, and partnered with Beverly Drive Magazine to launch Fashion Stars for a Cause.
I was one of the 12 women selected to be a "Star" or ambassador for this event to help raise awareness for the Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas, sell tables and tickets for the April 21 gala and hawk raffle tickets for a 3-night trip to Cabo San Lucas that will be drawn on May 24. ($50 each or 3 for $100 - who wants to by some!?) We had a super fun photo shoot with Shana Anderson and appeared in a 12-page spread in the March issue of Beverly Drive Magazine. All this hoopla, culminated in a black tie gala that happened last Friday at the Dallas Country Club hosted by Honorary chairs Melody and Rick Rogers.
Terry Bentley Hill and SCC's Margie Wright
Guests enjoyed a trademarked beverage called Fashion Stars Cocktail made with 1 part vodka, 2 parts Pomegranate juice, 1 part seltzer and a splash of grenadine. Once seated in the ballroom, the Stars were announced in a runway fashion show wearing gowns provided by TOOTSIES.I was just crazy about my canary yellow gown by BCBG MaxAzria and necklace by Accessory Concierge. Check out the photo at the bottom of this post. I've never worn yellow before, but I think it might be my new favorite color.
The featured speaker was Terry Bentley Hill who spoke beautifully about the family tragedy that brought her to the Suicide and Crisis Center and how through them she received help and hope. She reminded guests that the Suicide and Crisis Center support groups are not the only service provided - that trained volunteers also man a 24-hour hotline, and run the Teens Can Survive program that works with North Dallas-area schools to help screen teenagers going through depression who might be having thoughts of suicide and provide them with counseling and assistance.
Yvonne Crum, Rick and Melody Rogers
Artie Olaisen is the Artistic Director of the Dallas Children's Theater and a long-time pal of Crum's. He organized a surprise serenade at the close of the evening in her honor. The lovely Morgan Mabry Mason sang "For Good" from Wicked and by the end of the tune, there were not many dry eyes in the room. It was a lovely way to end a glorious night.A special thanks to the glam squad who worked to get me runway ready: Clothes Circuit, Blushington, Daniel Lewis at Green Peridot and Accessory Concierge. And to my friends who came out to support me (and this amazing cause): Trip and Barbara Bomar, Deb SoRelle, Brian Lindley, Lisa Petty, Cheryl Rios, LeeAnne Locken and Dawn Mellon. It made walking so fun to have my own cheering squad at the end of the runway!
But it's not quite over yet because we are still selling raffle tickets for that 3-night trip to Cabo San Lucas!!! The drawing will be held on May 24 during Beverly Drive Polo Cup and Concorso at the Prestonwood Polo Club. Message me on Facebook or email me if you'd like to buy a ticket or three and try your hand at winning this fabulous prize!
Dawn Mellon, Cheryl Rios, Cynthia Smoot, LeeAnne Locken
Top Photo: Hilary Kennedy, Alex Small, Tonie Munoz Hunt, Antonia Hubert, Britt Harless, Ashely Burghardt, Cynthia Smoot, Robin Brock, Carla Miller, Regina Bruce and Rhonda Marcus. Not pictured, Janee Hill.
All photos by Danny Campbell.
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