The "brass ring" is often used to symbolize a highly desirable goal. It's also the symbol of the Children's Diabetes Foundation and the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes in their quest to help find a cure for type 1 diabetes. The two groups joined forces this month to throw a fashionable luncheon to raise funds and connect a community of people who share in their mission. Guests got a dose of star power with a fashion show by celebrity designer Marc Bouwer as the grand finale.
The nearly 575 attendees at the 47th Annual Brass Ring Luncheon & Fashion Show, the organization's signature event supporting The Guild of the Children's Diabetes Foundation, raised over $360,000 through ticket sales, sponsorships, live and silent auctions, and special appeals.
Auctioneer Halie Behr led the live auction that raised $37,000 and featured exclusive packages and luxury items, including a getaway to Teton Mountain Lodge, a Rod Stewart VIP experience in Las Vegas, and a vintage art deco diamond and pearl brooch necklace.
The programming showcased the late Dr. Robert Slover's valuable contributions as a physician at the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes. His patients, known as "Slover's Heroes," took the stage for the "Heroes' Walk" and included thirty children living with type 1 diabetes alongside fifteen essential staff members from the BDC.
The event also honored Judy McNeil, recipient of the T1D Changemaker Award, for dedicating her time, energy and resources as a volunteer for the Guild of the Children's Diabetes Foundation for over two decades. Among other things, she creates the beautiful, oversized signature auction baskets that greeted attendees in the lobby of the Sheraton Denver Downtown.
Then it was time to bring on the fashion! Designer Marc Bouwer, known for his celebrity looks, trained with legendary designer Halston and became the personal designer for stars such as Whitney Houston and Shania Twain. He brought his iconic glamorous looks to the runway stage and offered an exclusive fashion experience in the live auction that included a fitting for a custom gown and lunch with Bouwer himself.
The fashion show included over forty looks from Bouwer's current collection, as well as pieces from different collections and gowns that have been seen on recent award show red carpets. "When I do fashion shows for an event like this, I want it to be very dramatic, exciting and almost like a live movie experience. It's really fashion for entertainment," said Bouwer.
The show was produced by local fashion show veteran Charlie Price, with hair and makeup by Gina Comminello of THE LOOK Salon and Med Spa.
Cameras flashed, and oohs and awws could be heard from the crowd as Bouwer's shiny silver and gold metallic gowns, sparkled and sequined little black dresses, and cocktail to formal looks with pops of bright pink and turquoise and flower embellishments floated down the runway on statuesque models.
Bouwer says he rarely does live fashion shows these days, instead promoting his work with fashion films and by dressing celebrities and influencers on the red carpet. But he made an exception for this event because he has a special place in his heart for helping the Children's Diabetes Foundation and the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes.
"My business partner of many years, Paul Margolin, is a diabetic. He was diagnosed in his early twenties and I went through that with him. It was really terrible." Bouwer recalled. "We didn't know what he had, what was going on or how to treat it. There were just injections back then. And every person is different. You have to figure out what your blood level is. If you take too much or too little insulin, you can go into a diabetic coma. I read a lot about diabetes because I was trying to help Paul as much as I could. So that's why we both agreed to do the show in Denver."
After a final round of applause, guests departed with giant baskets from the auction tables. Proceeds from the event will go directly toward supporting patient care programs at the Children's Diabetes Foundation; find more information on donating the foundation's website.