Verge Consignment Store owner Jessica Blair, left, and model Darby Calhoun are preparing for Thurday’s Pink Parade Holiday Preview Fashion Show to benefit cancer research.
ALBANY -- Who wouldn't attend a charity event that features great music, great food, the latest in holiday fashion and is highlighted by something called the "Bedazzled Bra Parade?"
Southwest Georgians will have that opportunity Thursday when Verge in downtown Albany presents the Pink Parade, a fundraiser to benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation.
"We do a fundraiser every month; it's not always something this big, but we believe in sharing our blessings with others," Verge managing partner Jessica Blair said. "I lost my grandmother to breast cancer, so I wanted to have an event that would benefit an organization working to find a cure."
The Pink Parade, scheduled for 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m., will feature a holiday preview fashion show, music by local artist Phillip Phillips, heavy hors d'oeuvers, cocktails and wine served at a cash bar, and one of the most unique auctions ever concocted.
Twelve male "models" will strut their way down the catwalk wearing "bedazzled" bras, which will later be auctioned off.
"They have a similar event in my hometown (Cincinnati) as a way to honor individuals who were lost to breast cancer," Blair said. "Some of the bras are being sponsored by local businesses, and there seems to be a lot of excitement building about seeing our male models."
The flip side of the male anti-models are 14 or so area beauties who will show off the hottest holiday fashions.
"I take a class at Darton (College) with a friend who goes to Westover (Darby Calhoun), and she told me about (the Pink Parade)," first-time model Taylor Haynes, 16, of Dawson and Terrell Academy, said as she tried on outfits for the show. "This being my first time doing something like this, I'm really excited. It's fun, and it's an opportunity to help with a good cause.
"Plus, I'm finding lots of cool clothes. I saw some boots that I'm thinking about buying to wear to the Jake Owen concert (in Sasser Saturday)."
Tickets for the Pink Parade are $15, and proceeds from their sale, from the bra auction and other donations will be distributed to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation during a three-day event in Atlanta.
"There are a number of local women who will be taking part in a Susan G. Komen walk in Atlanta the weekend of Oct. 28-30," Blair said. "Amy Miller will take the proceeds from the Pink Parade to Atlanta to donate during that event."
For additional information about Thursday's extravaganza, call (229) 432-0305 or go to www.facebook.com/vergespace.
The Dallas-based Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation was founded by Komen's sister, Nancy Brinker, as a way for Brinker to keep her promise that she would continue to seek a cure for breast cancer after she lost her sister to the disease. Founded in 1982, the organization has donated more than $1.9 billion toward that cause.