La Vie En Rose

Photo by Daniel Valverde

Ivey Moore painted the town pink on October 20 with an elegant affair that brought Charlotte’s chic set to Wells Fargo Atrium for an evening of fashion in the name of a fashionable cause: the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. ”I created the event as an exciting way to get young professionals involved in a cause through something we can all relate to: fashion!” Moore exclaims of her thought process. After hosting her first breast cancer benefit last year, Moore quickly realized this concept could–and should be more than just a party, so the ambitious 26 year-old founded the organization, Pink Soles, and made her Second Annual Ultimate Fall Fashion Event a night to remember.

Guests mingled in the grand room donning sky-high stilettos and cocktail attire, while smartly dressed attendants circulated with platters of sweet and savory morsels. VIP parties perched around tables swathed in silk, sipping pink champagne, and models scurried around, stopping only for sporadic snaps of a camera. A few canapés and glasses of wine later, guests migrated to gift bag-filled seats surrounding a shimmering runway in anticipation for the several runway shows to come. But first a special guest host would open the show. The charming America’s Next Top Model winner and well-known face Naima Mora, pranced on stage sporting a simple black jumpsuit, pink silk jacket and rosy cheeks. (The Cover Girl has come a long way since her reality TV days, with a second album from her band, Galaxy of Tar, to be released by the year’s end, as well as a new title: published author. MODEL BEHAVIOR details her industry experiences and provides inspiration and advice to young girls). “I’m a little nervous,” she exclaimed clasping her hands together. Nerves aside however, she delivered an eloquent opening speech and, no doubt, won the hearts of anyone previously unfamiliar with her. Tyra Banks would have been proud.

Carlos Paraeyes sent the first collection down the runway, setting the bar high with a mix of black, grey and white ensembles with pops of gold and elegant beaded lace appliqué. Following roars of applause, Dr. Holly Clemens, who worked at the London 2012 Olympics, delivered a few words of wisdom on preventing breast cancer, reminding guests of the evening’s true purpose. The Shades of Pink show kicked off with two ballerinas from the NC Dance Theatre who twirled around in black corset-tops and tulle skirts while the DJ spun Kanye West’s “Runway.” Then local designers Sara Johnson, Alice Andrews, Candace Frieden, Tracie Mackins Jones, Tara Davis, Caroline Harmon and Carlos Paraeyes, sent mini collections, all in pink, down the catwalk, prompting recurrent oohs and aahs from audience members.

Finally it was time to hear from the event’s mastermind and toast of the night. Ivey Moore approached the stage, calm and collected, in a pastel pink sequined frock. Keeping her words brief but serious, Moore elaborated on the debilitating nature of the disease and explained that, despite its commercialization and pretty pink associations, breast cancer is a grave, ugly disease. More fashion followed before a short intermission entailing a lust-worthy collection of items available for silent auction, including a signed pair of pink cleats worn by Carolina Panthers linebacker James Anderson last season, and a dress donated by Naima which she won during America’s Next Top Model. Following a few additional remarks by Dr. Clemens and a final runway show, the evening came to a close without a hitch.

Impressively diligent, Moore is already busy planning for next year’s event: “The best way to beat cancer is to never get it,” she states. “That being said, we plan to work diligently to support the community in providing preventative information and support.” No doubt, big things are to come from this bright, young thing.

Photos by Marcus Aspiazu