Support “Breast Cancer Awareness Month” by joining California’s most beautiful and outstanding young women at a Fashion Extravaganza considered by many to be LA’s premiere fundraising event during this special month. This unique charity function, titled Runway Alive in PINK, will take place on Saturday, October 18th on board the legendary “Queen Mary” anchored in Long Beach.
Featured will be the current Miss California Marina Inserra who has chosen to spend her year promoting “Breast Cancer Awareness.” She will be joined by her two predecessors-- Crystal Lee, Miss California 2013 and first-runner up to Miss America; and Leah Cecil Tibbitts, Miss California 2012.
Special guest will be Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev who made history September 14th by becoming the third consecutive Miss New York to win the coveted Miss America crown. Winning the judges’ hearts with her personality and interview skills, the 23-year-old made the public and social media take notice with her unique vocal presentation using a red cup as a percussion instrument.
Though she competed in Atlantic City as Miss New York, Kira is in reality a California girl. She was born in Contra Costa County, CA to Russian immigrants—making her a first-generation American. She spent her formative years at Walnut Creek Intermediate School and Los Lomas High School before graduating in 2009 and moving to the East Coast for college. The daughter of a surgical oncologist, Kira is a 2013 graduate of Hofstra University where she completed a triple major—studying political science, global studies, and geography. In addition, she’s also trilingual—speaking English, Russian, and Spanish. Her goal is to obtain a Juris Doctorate and a Master’s degree in Business Administration. She’s already been accepted to the University of Notre Dame Law School where she will use her $50,000 scholarship but will postpone her entrance until fulfilling her reign as Miss America.
If that’s not enough, Miss California’s Outstanding Teen Kyla Reed will walk the runway joined by 15 other beautiful and talented titleholders from the Golden State. These include: Miss Bay Counties, Caylynn Simonson; Miss City of Orange, Gabrielle Boyadjian; Miss Culver City, Katie Wayland; Miss Hollywood, Gabriella Garcia; Miss Los Angeles County, Carly Valdes; Miss National Orange Show, MacKenzie Freed; Miss Orange Coast, Stephanie Patterson; Miss Orange County, Bree Morse; Miss San Diego, Katherine Da Silva; Miss San Fernando Valley, Skye Privat; Miss Southland, Kelsey Schwarz; Miss Tarzana, Kara Smoot; Miss Tustin, Emma Foss; Miss Woodland Hills, Izamar Olaguez; and returning by popular demand will be Miss Hollywood 2013, Lauren Smolka.
As they take center stage, each lady will be wearing clothing accented in pink from such well-known California designers as Marisa Baratelli and Mia Bella Couture—with many items created exclusively for this Show. And in a historical tribute to the “Queen Mary’s” 80th Birthday, some will in one scene be wearing vintage designer attire depicting the four decades the “Queen Mary” sailed—the 1930s, the 1940s, the 1950s, and the 1960s. To add even more entertainment value, many titleholders will also be performing unique talent presentations creatively woven into the professionally-choreographed Show. This unique fashion extravaganza will conclude with a surprise emotional ending as guests hear concise “survival stories” from area Breast Cancer survivors walking the runway to a special presentation by the current Miss California and Miss America.
The charity event includes a sit-down luncheon in the magnificent Grand Salon; a professionally-choreographed fashion show by Gretchen Productions of San Diego; designer boutiques; admittance to the ship; admittance to the DIANA: Legacy of a Princess exhibit; swag bags; and free self-parking. Afterwards, all guests will be invited to an Autograph and Photograph Session with all the titleholders including Miss America. Guests will also have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view a large amount of clothing actually belonging to two of the world’s most celebrated fashion icons--Diana, Princess of Wales and actress Grace Kelly who later became Her Serene Highness Princess Grace of Monaco.
Bernadette Greene, Deputy Consul-General of the British Consulate headquartered in Los Angeles, is serving as Honorary Chairman. Her grandfather was part of the team that originally constructed the “Queen Mary” in the shipyards in Clydebank, Scotland. Serving as Mistress of Ceremonies will be Marlise Boland, the Producer/Creator of The Anglophile Channel. And by coincidence, Marlise herself was Miss California 1988 and 3rd runner-up to Miss America. During lunch, guests will enjoy a string concert presented by Miss California 2012, a talented harpist, and her mother Robin Cecil, a well-known symphony violinist.
Proceeds from the unique event will benefit Breast Cancer Angels, a well-respected Southern California charity which helps with the many needs of Breast Cancer patients and survivors struggling with bills, medical needs, legal matters, and family responsibilities. Founded in 2000, this 501(c)(3) is extremely unique since it operates with less than 3% administrative fees.
To purchase tickets to “Runway Alive in PINK” or to see a video clip or photographs from last year’s sold-out fundraiser, please visit www.dianadresses.org. ; Tickets vary in price and must be purchased in advance. Doors open at 9:30 a.m.
BACKGROUND OF PINK RIBBONS CRUSADE AND ITS FUNDRAISING “QUEEN MARY” EXHIBIT:
Pink Ribbons Crusade is a 501(c)(3) total-volunteer organization which raises funds for Breast Cancer prevention and awareness. It does so with its traveling exhibit featuring the world’s largest private collection of Princess Diana Dresses plus a fabulous array of British Royal historical memorabilia. Founded in early 2000, it is a Texas-based charity consisting of a small band of volunteers who believe in continuing Diana’s charitable lead—giving back, expecting no reward, and making a significant difference in the world in which we live.
The Pink Ribbons Crusade Collection is currently housed on the historic “Queen Mary.” The ship’s top deck was totally renovated in 2012 to create 10,000 square feet of beautiful space to house the massive collection which consists of historic textiles, handwritten letters, one-of-a-kind memorabilia, gifts given to the Royals and from them, signed Christmas Cards, historic newspapers, limited edition china, etc. Though the exhibit is titled DIANA: Legacy of a Princess, it is much more than the story of the beloved Princess of Wales. It is a true history lesson of the British Royal Family beginning with King George V and Queen Mary (for whom the ship is named) and ending with William, Kate, and Harry. Many Royals featured in the exhibition christened, launched, visited, or sailed on the historic vessel.
Monies raised by Pink Ribbons Crusade from the “Queen Mary” exhibit stay in Long Beach and Southern California to help support two well-known Breast Cancer charities—Breast Cancer Angels and the City of Hope Breast Cancer Program. Diana herself was a strong supporter of the fight against Breast Cancer; in fact, it was one of the primary causes supported by the Princess of Wales during the last year of her life. When she chose to auction 79 of her famous gowns at Christie’s in June 1997, she selected Breast Cancer as one of the Auction’s two charitable beneficiaries. She also visited America twice in that time period to increase awareness and to raise significant funds to fight the disease.
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