Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/106710
Philanthropy Is Always in Fashion Becca Cason Thrash Justin Segal Terry Zmyslo Saks Fifth Avenue's annual Catwalk for a Cure was a moving, glamorous evening for the cancer crusade. Chair Jennifer Segal Lee Nix Kristen Nix MEGAN PRUITT WINDER TAKES US TO THE FRONT ROW. PHOTOGRAPHY PRISCILLA DICKSON. G enerosity walked the runway at Saks Fifth Avenue's Catwalk for a Cure, this year an evening fête. The sold-out benefit for the Amschwand Sarcoma Cancer Foundation lured our town's philanthropic and stylish individuals for cocktailing, auctioning and dining at Hotel ZaZa. Laura Arnold, Kelli Blanton, and Jennifer Segal chaired, while charitable partners Saks Fifth Avenue, Hotel ZaZa, PaperCity magazine and Grey Goose enhanced the soirée's bottom line. Emceed by Deborah Duncan, the evening began with a raffle for an extraordinary pearl, diamond and sapphire ring donated by Nini Jewels' bauble maven Nini Hale. The winners, Steve Summers and Glen Gonzalez, donated the ring back to ASCF for reauction, where it found a good home with long-time ASCF supporters Greggory and Pat Burk. The live auction was packed with spectacular vacations, staycations and collections donated by Katie and A.J. Brass, Christine and Ty Hoffer, Hotel ZaZa, Allie and Jay Fields, and Alexandra Knight. While bidders vied for the final auction item — sarcoma survivor Alexandra Knight's exquisite custom leather creations crafted with one's choice of exotic skins — and sarcoma survivors Amanda Hawes, Shelby Robin, David Solomon, and Brad Booth walked the runway bearing the luxe lots, Knight announced that she would donate another identical package including a much coveted custom clutch. The dual winners were Joyce Brass and Alice Mosing. The finale was a fashion show of stunning designs that bounced from hard-edged to floral from Yigal Azrouël's 2013 Resort collection, presented by Saks Fifth Avenue. Unfortunately Azrouël himself was unable to attend due to Hurricane Sandy; stepping up to oversee fashionable proceedings was Saks' Houston GM, Terry Zmyslo, who surprised everyone by announcing an additional $5,000 donated by the benevolent retailer to the cause. The evening also recognized Commitment to the Cause Award recipient Susan Franz for her contributions to the foundation's housing program, which will provide nearly 1,000 nights of free residences to out-of-town cancer patients seeking care in Houston. ASCF co-founder Missy Amschwand Bellinger, whose first husband, Tom Amschwand, lost his battle to sarcoma, took the podium to express gratitude and her passion for the cause and to introduce Celebration of Survivorship honoree Alexandra Knight — whose poise, courage and inspirational story moved one and all. Melissa Mithoff Courtney Hopson Millette Sherman Susanne Loyd Honoree Alexandra Knight Hollye Jacobs Honoree Susan Franz Nini Hale Brad Booth Tony Bradfield Kevin Black Tijuana Harvey Kelli Kickerillo Todd Forester John Arnold Chair Laura Arnold Starr Danner Amanda Hawes Shelby Robin Greggory Burk Luvi Wheelock Carlos Wheelock Elizabeth Fertitta Lorraine Wise Jackson Wise Carie Salter Chris Dorros Zack Fertitta Carolyn Dorros Eddy Blanton Chair Kelli Blanton Jamil Higley Ernie Cockrell Stephanie Cockrell Marci Samuels Vanessa Sanchez David Solomon Missy Bellinger Irene Abdo Shirley Phipps Yigal Azrouël on the runway Allie Fields Carter Higley James Bellinger