ST. JUDE CHILDRENS RESEARCH HOSPITAL GALA

Lindsay Price

Chanel Iman And Christian Siriano

Teraji P. Henson

Chanel Iman, Veronica Webb, Jill Nicolini, and Phillip Bloch Hosted the 3rd Annual Design Cares Event Co-chaired by Reynaldo Davis Carter and Dawn Gallagher, presented by Sak’s Fifth Avenue for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, along with a special appearance by, Christian Siriano at the Armory. The event was graced by many faces including the likes of Oscar nominee, Taraji P. Henson, actors, Lindsay Price, Jessica Gomez, Tony Sirico, Mizuo Peck, and Shannen Doherty, as well as America’s Next Top Model winner, Jaslene Gonzalez, and “Bravo’s New York Housewife” Ramona Singer for this year’s event entitled “Kaleidoscope of Dreams.”The celebs, fashion industry heavy hitters, and a who’s who of New York elite attended the benefit to honor Courtney, age 7, and Micah, age 8 year, both St. Jude cancer patients. The two young ladies have always dreamed of being fashion designers, and Design Cares made their dream of seeing their own designs grace a New York City runway a reality, thanks to the generosity of St. Jude, its donors and a literal “kaleidoscope” of fashion industry talent. Through the support of dedicated sponsors, Design Cares paired Courtney and Micah with celebrity and budding fashion designers, including Christian V. Siriano, Project Runway Season 4 winner (www.christianvsiriano.com) and Tian Justman (www.tianjustman.com), cancer survivor, former St. Jude patient, and emerging talent.One month short of her first birthday, Micah was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a spinal tumor that left her paralyzed below the waist. Treated at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Micah is now fully mobile and cancer free. Courtney, from her mother’s womb, was diagnosed at St. Jude with Sickle Cell Anemia—a blood disorder that took the life of her cousin. Courtney began drug treatment at St. Jude at 2 months old; she’s now a happy girl who loves designing dresses.Thanks to Skagen (www.skagen.com) for sponsoring Courtney and Micah’s flight to New York City to the Design Cares runway, alongside the models donning their designs. It was also a thrill for 14 year-old Vivian (a St. Jude patient and aspiring model), to sport Courtney’s design by Justman. She even became a reporter for the evening as she interviewed celebrities on the red carpet for Fox 5 News! Vivian’s flight was sponsored by Solérra by Sunless Beauty Ltd., a member of the Sunless Tanning Association, which promotes healthy tanning and a proud sponsor of The Skin Cancer Awareness Foundation (www.solerra.com).In addition to being treated to tastings from 25 New York restaurants, including STK, Sushi Samba, Toloache, Pranna, and Butter, attendees were dazzled by a catwalk showing of exclusive evening gowns by the world’s leading designers such as Karl Lagerfeld, John Galliano, Versace, Alberta Ferretti, Badgley Mischka, Marc Jacobs Collection, Diane von Furstenberg, Carolina Herrera, Catherine Malandrino, Chado Ralph Rucci, Yigal Azrouël, J. Mendel, Luca Luca, Maggie Norris Couture, Carlos Alberto, Matthew Williamson, Michael Kors, Narciso Rodriguez, Reem Acra, Valentino, Vera Wang, and Gucci, to name a few. These gowns and the stunning, one-of-a-kind couture designs directly inspired by the drawings of Courtney and Micah and created by Siriano and Justman expressly for the Design Cares catwalk will be auctioned off at the event and online at myworld.ebay.com/stjuderegion9 to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, one of the world’s premier pediatric cancer research and treatment centers.Design Cares 2009 would not be successful in their efforts to help children of St. Jude without their gracious sponsors. This year’s sponsors included: Absolute Vodka, Allegiance Protection Group, Cardinal, Carlos by Carlos Santana, Charity Happenings, Decayenne, launchmedia:group, MAC Cosmetics, Manhattan Magazine, Nolcha, Roxanne Rizzo, Sarar, Skagen, Sopranos Wines, Tilted Palm Beverages, Via Spiga and Warren Tricomi Haircare.


About St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital


St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. St. Jude is the first and only pediatric cancer center to be designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. Founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance. No child is ever denied treatment because of the family’s inability to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization. For more information, please visit www.stjude.org.
Photos By: Marc Von Holden/Wireimage via St. Jude
Doherty Photo By: Martin Roe via St. Jude