Dare to Wear Love 2010, the closing show of LG Fashion Week, was more than I could have expected. Who knew that a mix of Canada’s top fashion designers on display, proceeds from the event benefitting the Stephen Lewis Foundation dedicated to eradicating HIV/AIDS in Africa, some of the most famous faces in Canadian media and entertainment would be models for the event, that the stats on HIV/AIDS would touch me a much as they did. You hear about or see them everyday but that doesn’t make them any more bearable to deal with. For example:

• IN SUB SAHARAN AFRICA NEARLY 12 MILLION CHILDREN HAVE LOST ONE OR BOTH OF THEIR PARENTS TO HIVAIDS
• YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 15-24 ACCOUNT FOR 45% OF ALL NEW HIV INFECTIONS
• IN NAMIBIA, TANZANIA, AND ZIMBABWE, 40-60% OF ORPHANED CHILDREN ARE CARED FOR BY GRANDMOTHERS
• WOMEN ACCOUNT FOR TWO-THIRDS OF ALL CAREGIVERS FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV IN AFRICA.

Not things you think about on a daily basis but I can’t imagine living in an environment like this and I’m sure you can’t either. We’re all a part of a global village, and I’m grateful to have attended and done my, admittedly, very small part. I love fashion for a cause!

Now on to the show! In a word: gorgeous. The models were all draped in garments made of African cloth created by designers like Nada, David Dixon, Zoran Dobric, Wayne Clark, Adrian Wu, Kendra Francis, Izzy Camilleri, and many others. Media personalities like Anne Marie Mediwake, Anna Maria Tremonti, and Arlene Dickinson looked to be having a blast walking the runway. Breakfast Television’s Dina Pugliese was especially beautiful in perhaps the most grandiose wedding dress I’ve ever seen created by Ines di Santos.

Performances by Madagascar Slim, and Shelley Hamilton opened and closed the show but what got everyone talking, I’m sure, was the avatar dancer who came out in long dredlocks, a hip sash and nothing else. It was a beautiful, creative, and interesting addition to the show.

I’ve made my donation, you still can, and I can’t wait be in attendance again next season.

The Dare to Wear Love 2010 Lineup

Performance: Madagascar Slim (band)

1. Nada – Model: Tara Spencer Nairn, actor
2. Farley Chatto – Model: Kenneth, Ford Model
3. David Dixon – Model: Anne Marie Mediwake, CBC News
4. Reva Mivasagar – Model: Dayana, Push Models
5. Zoran Dobric – Model: Dejana Bajic, Shopsterium.com
6. Zoran Dobric – Model: Scott, Shok Models
7. Wayne Clark – Model: Mary Brisebois, NEXT Models
8. Adrian Wu – Model: Keshia Chante, pop singer

Performance: Laurence Lemieux, Hymn to the Universe (dance)

1. Linda Lundstrom – Model: Chemagne
2. Linda Lundstrom – Model: Kerrona, Push Models
3. Kimina – Model: Carlos, co-owner Memphis Presley
4. Ula Zukowska- model: Joydeen, Shok Models
5. Lovas Design – model: Camille, Ford Models
6. Comrags – Model: Anna Maria Tremonti, CBC’s The Current
7. Avioanni – Model: Alissa Valdenassi
8. Brian Bailey – Model: Renee Thompson, Push Models
9. Pat McDonagh – Model: Arlene Dickinson, CBC’s Dragon’s Den
10. Northbound Leather – Model: Charles Harris

Performance: Shelley Hamilton (song)

1. Hoax Couture – Model: Jonathan Cuthill, Elmer Olson Models
2. Hoax Couture – Model: Chukwe, NAM Model Management
3. Jason Meyers – Model: Angela Smith, ET Canada
4. Kendra Francis – Model: Sierra, Push Models
5. Damzels in this Dress – Model: Coco Framboise
6. Peach Berserk – Model: Wendy Mesley, CBC The National
7. Peach Berserk – Model: Kate
8. Fashion Crimes – Model: Jasmin Chorley Foster, FORD Models
9. Ines di Santo – Model: Dina Pugliese, Breakfast Television
10. Izzy Camilleri – Model: Bridget Stuart

Stats from www.daretowearlove.com

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