Imagine strolling through a beach resort town, dressed in summer brights with open-toed shoes. Or walking down a bustling city street, chicly turned out in a silk sheath dress with a stylish jacket thrown over your shoulders. Maybe you’d prefer a “night on the town” get up – the classic little black dress. All of those looks – and more – were on display at the fifth annual Breast Cancer Alliance Junior Committee fashion show, held at Richards on a recent Sunday morning.

 

Models from Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy sported a variety of designers’ spring and summer fashions as they paraded up and down the store’s dazzling spiral staircase. The teens are all members of the Junior Committee which, through this event and others, raises funds to support breast cancer outreach services for underserved women. The Committee’s activities have raised nearly $30,000 for the Alliance so far this year.

 

Andrew Mitchell of Richards took the stage after opening remarks by Alliance president Margaret Sinclair and Executive Director Belinda Benincasa and summed up the room’s mood. “This is such an exciting event for us because it reminds us all of the power of – and the pleasure in – giving back,” he said.

 

As the models made last minute adjustments to outfits and hairstyles, the show got underway with a live musical performance by Meggy Hearn and Kenny Blume, both seniors at Greenwich High School and dedicated Junior Committee members. Then came the fashion parade.

 

Each teen was introduced by emcee Avril Graham, Fashion & Beauty Editor of Harper’s Bazaar. In her witty and charming way, Graham blended the models’ personal bios with commentary on the clothes and how they suited that model’s particular style. Graham laid out the season’s fashion dos and don’ts: don’t try to match accessories to outfits, choose clunky shoes for summer, and wear bright scarves as belts. She also noted that exaggerated shoulders are back, the longer silhouette is in vogue for women and striped shirts are all the rage for men.

 

As they entered, the 150 guests were able to bid on 43 silent auction items ranging from gym memberships to jewelry items to Yankees tickets – all donated by area merchants and Alliance supporters. The Faces of Light® traveling photo exhibit of 21 local breast cancer survivors was on display in the store, reminding the audience that early detection saves lives.

 

Meggy Hearn, Brittany Beattie, Gabby Morgan and Karin Carnegie, the four committee chairs, were happy to end their stint on the Committee on such a positive note. “This event is so much fun for us, but more than that, it is a celebration of the impact one group of dedicated people can have on others. We are pleased to support the breast cancer outreach program at the Hospital of Saint Raphael in New Haven, and we are proud that through our efforts, women who truly need basic breast health services can receive them,” the girls said.

 

Many thanks to all the teens and adults who helped with this event, especially Alliance board members Ellen Keats and Suzanne Sennatt, who provide guidance and support all year long, and Andrew Mitchell and the Mitchell family for hosting and supplying the fashions. Thanks to Noble Salon for sending so many people to help our models with their hair and make-up. And finally, a big thanks also to the parents, guests, and volunteers who support this event and all of the Junior Committee activities. Your generosity and enthusiasm are deeply appreciated.