Bell Mobility Ball:
Dreams of a Generation Charity Fundraiser Event for SickKids Foundation
Oct. 26, 2005
Fashionistas
Flock with Frocks to the 14th Annual Bell Mobility Ball
By
Sonja Andic
Makeup Artist and Style Fashionista
Hundreds
of well-dressed influential business people and prominent celebrities
from the world of fashion, music, sports and media gathered for The Bell
Mobility Ball and Celebrity Gala: one of Toronto's biggest social and
charity events. Everyone was united under one enormous roof to support
and raise funds for the SickKids Foundation.
The evening
started with a decadent cocktail reception followed by a silent charity
auction, a lavish three course meal, fashion, variety and entertainment
shows, and the cherry on the cake: a disco at the end of the night for
anyone still left standing.
Social events
usually only mean one thing to me; a fabulous opportunity to wear my latest
frock. Charity events mean two things to me: a moment in my life to be
a do-gooder and a chance to wear a stylish frock. You’ll always
find fashionistas supporting charitable events and good causes, while
looking fabulous doing it! Fashionistas are always good to go for these
events as we all have a healthy selection of LBD’s [little black
dresses] on hand for last minute invites.
Much to my
delight there was a dress code for this event. I do love a dress code,
as it does get one very excited about planning the perfect outfit. The
theme of this year’s event was the full-on 1960s experience. Guests
had the option of either black tie dress or 60s style. To get everyone
in the mood, complimentary black and gold feather boas were handed out
on the entrance's red carpet, flanked by news teams with cameras and roving
reporters. Everyone was made to feel like a super star!
I must say
I was proud of the fashionistas I met that night. Real effort was made
to wear something from the 60s and look retro-chic, or if someone chose
the black tie theme, it wasn’t a sea of cheap looking black dresses.
Speaking
of embodying the 1960s theme, backstage the MAC makeup team and stylists
from Salon Daniel in Yorkville did a fabulous job with the makeup and
hair for the models and hostesses. The makeup looks were created by MAC
artists Melissa Gibson and Jane McKay who cited their inspirations as
Peggy Moffit, Twiggy and Verushka. There were tons of false eyelashes
on everyone. The hair was big and sculpted and wonderful.
Motorola
Student Design Challenge
On the stage
there was more fashion being dished out care of the Motorola Design Challenge.
What the deal here was, Motorola challenged 10 fashion students and recent
grads from colleges in Toronto to design and produce a ‘couture gown’
in a 1960s theme. The first prize was $5000 from Motorola, and a mobile
phone of course. This year’s winner was announced and presented by
one of Toronto’s original Fashionistas Jeanne Beker. I really thought
this show was fun and a great opportunity for new designers to get their
names out there. So if you are reading this and are a fashion student, you
want to put this in your calendar for next year. Get you entry forms early!
The winner was Vanessa Paguandas, with her most unusual and bizarre
design, from the International Academy of Design. I have to mention that
I was hoping that Samantha Low from Ryerson would have won with her original
design. Maybe they will ask me to be a judge next year…..
Following
the Motorola fashion contest, the lineup of stars and entertainers was
impressive. If you liked watching Solid Gold Dancers on TV as a teen,
than this was your sort of entertainment. There was an almost never ending
parade of singers, semi-clad gyrating dancers and fashion shows. A highlight
was singer Suzie McNeil, a Rock Star:INXS finalist. That gal could sing.
She really rocked the house. Getting even better, Suzie was followed by
Liberty Silver belting out tunes during a Wayne Clarke fashion showcase.
Everybody
loves Wayne Clarke, and the audience was dazzled by evening wear for A/W
2005. Classic black and red sheaths in a waterfall of luxurious fabrics
as well as models dressed in bright neon greens, fuchsia, teal and deep
blue to make one’s eyes pop out. This show was followed by a racy
presentation of sexy fine lingerie by Avec Plaisir. If the ladies loved
Wayne, then the men in attendance were definitely loving Avec’s
show. More singing and dancing of a high school drama production variety
followed all this fashion, and it really was like a telethon of talent
continuing into infinity.
To conclude
this charity event, fashion was alive and well on stage, backstage and
more to my liking in the viewing audience of fashionable attendees. SickKids
are proud to announce that they hit their fund raising target of $1 million
dollars! And I must say it does feel satisfying to know you have been
a part of that. Fashion cares.
If
you would like to submit an upcoming event or would like your event reviewed/covered
by a TorontoStreetFashion.com editor, please E-mail details to
events@torontostreetfashion.com. Be sure to send contact information.
