A model showcases a striking outfit from Craig Coates Couture. Known for fashions featured at New York and Los Angeles Fashion Week, Coates returned to Fashion for a Cause for a second year, once again delighting the audience with his collection. Photo by Mike B. Photography.
Hospice of the Chesapeake’s annual Fashion for a Cause event drew a sold-out crowd ready to celebrate community, style and families who depend on the nonprofit’s services. When the night was over, more than $300,000 had been raised for community health programs.
The event, held June 4 at the Fluegel Alumni Center, Annapolis, Maryland, is one of the area’s most anticipated evenings. Guests were treated to a red-carpet experience complete with bites from local restaurants, food trucks and a moving celebration of compassion and community care.
For the fifth consecutive year, WBAL NewsRadio’s Bryan Nehman, cohost of C4 and Bryan Nehman, served as emcee, keeping the evening moving with warmth and wit. The milestone didn’t go unnoticed. Hospice of the Chesapeake marked the occasion by inducting Nehman into its “five-timers’ club,” presenting him with a branded jacket and commemorative pin. The moment took on deeper meaning when event committee member April Boera — whose late husband was Nehman’s college roommate — helped him into the jacket.
The highlight of the evening was a runway show featuring dozens of looks from 15 Annapolis-area retailers and designers. Returning to the runway for a second year were the high-fashion styles of Craig Coates Couture, whose designs have been featured at both New York and Los Angeles Fashion Week.
Professional models were joined by community members who took the stage with purpose and flair, showcasing everything from casual coastal wear to elegant evening attire.
Women’s fashions were modeled by Jaedyn Archinard, Heather Atcherson, Flora Bartek, April Boera, Ashley Calo, Cintia Castaneda, Jacqueline Coche, Megan Cooper, Liz Gillette, Terri Hussman, Alice Lao, Cierra Ploof, Challie Samaras, Caroline Shoults, Dana Smith, Rose Walker and Amy Wise.
Men’s fashions were modeled by: Mike Baldwin, Jeremiah Batucan, Doug Beaver, Brian Berger, Joseph Calo, Aaron Gaskins, John Hussman, Craig Johnson, Mike Mayfield, Jarret Simpson, Alex Strachan and Patrick Wergin.
Fashion for a Cause was made possible at the Haute Couture level by John & Cathy Belcher and the Brian & Patricia Giese Foundation.
Additional support was provided by:
Red Carpet Sponsors: Genesis of Annapolis and MHE Foundation
Fashionista Sponsors: Gene Deems: Helping Chesapeake Kids turn sorrow into strength; Collet Guerard; The Hussman Foundation; Shirley Ip; Russ Jones; Merrill Lynch – Murray, McGehrin & Shiery; The Michael Stanley Foundation; Nancy Smit & Julien Hecht; and Laura Westervelt
Supermodel Sponsors: Campion Hruby Landscape Architects; Dr. Maria Colucciello; The Davies Family Foundation; First Citizens Bank; and Sullivan Surgery & Spa
Celebrity Sponsors: Vanessa Aburn, Annapolitan Investment Group; Mike & Gina Baldwin; Georgie Clark; Curio Wealth; Engrained Design Works; M&T Bank; Patient First; Speight Cook Studio; and Temple Annapolis, Paul Mitchell Partner School.
The organization also thanks its event underwriters, including Bar Sponsor Georgie Clark and Entertainment Sponsor The Jennifer Wells & Taylor Wells Family Trust.
Proceeds from the event directly benefit the organization’s comprehensive community care offerings, with special emphasis on grief support services that ensure no child or family has to walk the journey of serious illness or loss alone.
Many models were community members with a personal connection to Hospice of the Chesapeake’s community health programs. Among them was Terri Hussman of The Hussman Foundation, who facilitates grief support groups and serves on Hospice of the Chesapeake’s Board of Directors. Photo by Mike B. Photography.
Fashion for a Cause committee member April Boera presents emcee Bryan Nehman with a Hospice of the Chesapeake jacket and five-year service pin in recognition of his fifth year hosting the event. Nehman and Boera’s late husband were college roommates, making the moment especially meaningful. Photo by Mike B. Photography.
A model showcases a striking outfit from Craig Coates Couture. Known for fashions featured at New York and Los Angeles Fashion Week, Coates returned to Fashion for a Cause for a second year, once again delighting the audience with his collection. Photo by Mike B. Photography.
