"Strike a pose...Vogue..."

[Update: For the NYC Prep fans out there, this was the charity show that Jessie was pulling clothes for at the warehouse in New Jersey on the 7/28 episode...go Boston!]

As I watch old episodes of “America’s Next Top Model” (Tyra B.=fierce!), I am reminded about the Carmen Marc Valvo fashion show I attended last Saturday afternoon at the Liberty Hotel. Held to benefit Ovations for the Cure, a non profit organization dedicated to the research, patient outreach, and awareness of ovarian cancer, this event combined high fashion with a great cause in a beautiful setting. I was pumped to cover this event – and even more thrilled that my new events correspondent Jessica “Fast Foodie” was able to join me – go Team Finance Foodie!

Remembering the near starvation experience from the last fashion show I attended, I made a mental note to pack a few snacks for the day. Unfortunately, my mental notes are usually forgotten faster than those one hit wonders from VH1’s "Where areThey Now."

Thankfully, I lucked out because I arrived to a beautiful raw bar, desserts, and of course, the fashion show standard, cocktails!


Before I had a chance to buy one of Ovation's symbolic butterflies from the “butterfly tree”, I was whisked away by event coordinator / superwoman Tania deLuzuriaga from Colette Phillips Communications for a backstage tour and a chance to watch the models get pretty by the team from David Paul Salons.

I was just about to head back out for another cocktail, when I spotted style expert Gretta Monahan from the Rachael Ray Show and Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style getting ready backstage. This Boston native was super gorgeous, super gregarious, and super sweet. We chatted about food, New York (she went to FIT), and our mutual love for Tim Gunn.

Then I saw the star himself, fashion designer Carmen Marc Valvo! Carmen was a recent survivor of colon cancer and a close friend of the late Carol Arrick-Wells (whose memory and battle with ovarian cancer was honored at this event). His 20 year retrospective collection that he was presented “starts with black tights and ends with black tights”.


[Ed Note: I just wanted to mention that I was totally rocking my black tights that day.]

The show begins! Here we have Ovations for the Cure’s president Paul Flaherty posing with the lovely presenters: Ovation’s Director Lisa Tocci, three time cancer survivor and woman about town Joyce Kulhawik, WCVB-TV reporter Kelly Tuthill, NECN anchor Beth Shelburne, and Gretta Monahan.

After the heart felt presentations (especially touching was the tearful dedication speech given by Carol’s son, Andrew Arrick), it was time for the eye candy! Feast your eyes on Carmen's gorgeous frocks and bling from Hearts on Fire…

On a serious note, life is precious, beautiful, and should not be taken for granted. I encourage all my readers and friends to be learn more about ovarian cancer and be aware of the warning signs. Taking a stand and being proactive – a few battles may be lost but eventually we will win the war.

For more pictures, please click here: Party Pics