| GMHC Hosts Fifth Annual Fashion Forward |
| Written by T. Terry Maloney | |||
| Tuesday, 06 December 2011 04:29 | |||
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Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) recently held its fifth annual Fashion Forward fundraiser at the Metropolitran Pavillion in Chelsea.The always glamorous event was co-hosted by actress Tracee Ellis Ross and fashion stylist Brad Goreski.
Presented once again by Bank of America, the event is one of the biggest fashion events in New York City occuring between the two Mercedes-Benz Fashion Weeks held in February and September.
The evening began with a two-hour reception and silent auction, featuring libations by 42 Below, New Zealand's favorite vodka, and hors douvres served by GMHC volunteers.
GMHC's chief executive officer, Dr. Marjorie J. Hill, welcomed the attendees, thanking them for supporting the organization's nearly 30 years of fighting to find a cure for AIDS and providing services for men and women living with HIV/AIDS. The runway show opened with a lively performance by drummers Karl Menard and Said McKenzie; and steppers Victor Sho and Ed Nelson.
Designers represented at the event included: Chris Benz, Thom Browne, Jean Paul Gauthier, Marlon Gobel, Sally LaPointe, Timo Welland, VPL and, my favorite, Malaysian-born Zang Toi. The show was produced by Ainsely Connell, styled by Avena Gallagher ans cast by Melissa Lee Bastel.
Prior to the runway show the inaugural Style Vault Award was presented to former hedge fund manager and "fashion socialite" Julie Macklowe, honored for being a frequent investor in startup fashion businesses and young designers.
Celebrities in attendance included Leila Lopes (Miss Universe 2011), model Jenny Shimizu, TV personality Jack MacKenroth, hockey star Steve Duchesne and designers Alan Eckstein, Luis Fernandez, The Blonds, Carlos Campos, Thom Browne, Sally LaPointe, Marlon Gobel and Kai Kuhne.
GMHC launched Fashion Forward in 2007 to salute the fashion industry's longstanding commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS.
"From the earliest days of the epidemic, the fashion community has been on the front lines, using its creativity, visibility and compassion to raise public awareness and galvanize fundraising efforts to support GMHC's lifesaving services." said Dr. Hill.
Sponsors for the event included Insignia, Fire Island Pines, Armani Exchange, Delta, ABC-7, MAC AIDS Fund and Gay City News.
 Fashion Forward 2011: Presenter Sally LaPointe (center). Designer Marlon Gobel (right). Host Brad Gorecki (left).  Ms. Universe 2011 Leila Lopes of Brazil appears at GMHC Fashion Forward 2011.  The legendary Jenny Shimizu walks for Jean-Paul Gaultier's 2012 Spring Collection at GMHC Fashion Forward 2011. Photos by Andrew Richter/imagesAR. For more articles like GMHC Hosts Fifth Annual Fashion Forward, please visit the NYC Stories Section of TimesSquare.com
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