It was a Hot August Night, as billed, for the Celebration of Hope Gala, but it was nightclub cool inside the Donald Seawell Ballroom.
The space was dotted with cabaret-style table, tiny candles and low-slung furniture where guests lounged as if in their own living rooms.
“Each year this event gets bigger and better,” said Barbara Boyle, executive director of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America, who flew in from New York for the gala. “I’m so proud of Denver.”
She also praised co-chairs K.C. and Kristina Veio for attracting more than 400 people to the fundraiser, proceeds from which will go to research and care provided by the HDSA Center of Excellence at the Colorado Neurological Institute. An estimated $60,000 was raised for the cause.
Honored for their contributions to the community were First Data Western Union Foundation; Jake Jabs, president and CEO of American Furniture Warehouse; Denver Post Editor Greg Moore and his wife, Nina, executive vice president for BET News and Public Affairs; and Terry Vitale, publisher of Colorado Expressions magazine.
Actress and Boulder native Jessica Biel accepted the Hope Award for her work as co-founder of the Make the Difference Network, a Web-based national wish list portal where people can search, find and fund wishes and needs posted by nonprofit organizations. The past month has been a busy one for the actress, whose movie “The Illusionist” recently opened. Still, “Tonight is the most meaningful thing that has happened,” she said. “I learned from my father that the measure of success is what kind of difference you can make.”
After the speeches and auctions were over and the buffet stations closed, it was finally time for the fashion show to unfold on a V-shaped runway. Produced and styled by Lenny Matuszewski of Houston, the eclectic parade of fall ensembles included offbeat accessories such as antlers, feathers and leopard-print hosiery. Bold plaid wool jackets for men, military-inspired sportswear and beaded evening clothes were among the styles spotlighted by Larimer Square merchants that included Eve, Mariel, Octane/Premium 93, Square One and Violet. Keeping the place sizzling, gold and diamond John Atencio jewelry was shown on a bare-chested male model.
– Suzanne S. Brown
More online: Find photos denverpost.com; see a slideshow of the fashions www.larimersquare.com
