Red was the colour of the evening and fashion was in the air. Cocktails, appetizers and flare! This past weekend (April 30th) was the Heart Truth Fashion Gala featuring Red Dresses designed by NBCCD fashion alumni and modelled by influential women and women touched by heart disease.
Doors opened at seven o’clock with appetizers in the lobby, an auction and the red carpet as well as entertainment by Marco Rocca.
Backstage was a hurry up and wait kind of feeling. The designers and models have been waiting months for this moment. Looking lovely as ever with their hair and makeup done, there was a mixture of nervousness and excitement. For the designers, their months of hard work was about to be displayed on a stage for all to see and for the models, it would be time for them to strut their stuff!
The show began at eight o’clock with opening remarks by Kurtis Sisk, CEO of the Heat and Stroke Foundation, NB, as well as a word from the presenting sponsor, Kirk Edwards, Vice President Operations Atlantic of Shopper Drug Mart. Our Premier, The Honourable Brian Gallant, also said a few words. The audience then enjoyed performances by DANCEAST, Emilie Rae and Rosa Laricchiuta, both accompanied by David LeBlanc. Between the performances were short films on Heart disease survivors, all of whom were models. It was sentimental and uplifting. The MC of the night was Dr. Ansar Hassan, a Cardiac Surgeon, New Brunswick Heart Centre . He was comedic and actually does stand up comedy on the side!
The main part of the show, the fashion show portion, began just around nine.
Models ranged from successful business women and artists to heart survivors and models of health. The model that won the hearts of the crowd was the youngest, Sofia. She was full of life and energy as she walked out to “Shake it Off” by Taylor Swift, her favourite singer. Each designer expressed their own style through their dress and somehow also brought out the models personality. One thing to keep in mind is how much work these designers do. Most, if not all of them, have a full time job and some have families at home. All have other responsibilities. This moment, for them, is a mixture of excitement, relief and a sense of accomplishment. And they should be proud, the dresses were all beautiful!
After the fashion show portion, it was time to head to the red carpet and feel like a celebrity; everyone wants a photo of the designers and models. Since the hard part was over, everyone was smiling and camera ready. Smiles abound!
The second portion of the show was none other than East Coast talent, Alan Doyle and his band the Beautiful Gypsies. Designers and models get to sit back and enjoy the rest of the night which was, In the words of a guest, “Toe tapping good time!”. He had everyone up and dancing. It was a great night for the heart. Hopefully next year will be just as good, if not, better!
Here are a few photos taken by Patti Cogswell, a guest at the show.
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| Designer Adrienne Goodine and her model, Marilyn Luscombe. |
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| Designer Mandy Fraser and her model, Emilie Rae. |
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| Model Martine Blanchard, wearing a dress designed by Sherry MacFarlane. |
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| Model, Kelsey McEachern, wearing a dress by Mandy Fraser. |
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Model Dianne Jones, wearing a dress designed by Colleen Nearing.
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| Model Emilie Rae, wearing a dress designed by Mandy Fraser |
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| All the designers and models on stage. |
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| Designers Mandy Fraser, Sherry MacFarlane, Adrienne Goodine and Gillian Matheson , posing on the Red Carpet after the fashion show. |
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| Designer Lucinda Mills with her model, Sofia Bossenberry. This little girl stole the show! |
