By Michelle A Heath, on 05.10.13 |  M.Miller Fur Studio I recently rediscovered skiing and was fortunate enough to spend a good part of this winter traveling to fabulous ski spots like Vail, Aspen and Park City. As a stylist and fashion lover, it is amazing to me how far the luxury outerwear industry has come since my days in a CB puffy coat and a hand-knit pompom hat (thanks, mom.) I had the opportunity today to visit the M. Miller Fur studio in Boston’s South End and meet Mark Miller and his gorgeous wife and business parter, Miyuki Tachibana. After what was described by Mark and Miyuki as a long and painful overhaul of the space, M. Miller’s new studio combines simplicity with luxury and the new showroom is stunning.
With everything from fur boots, to hats and gorgeous fur coats, M. Miller has an amazing eye for style. The choices of colors and fabric standout and, after trying on a few beauties, I can say that the fit is fantastic. Nothing bulky or extra, just a beautiful fit with attention to style and detail. There is also something for everyone depending on your appetite for no fur, a little fur or a lot of fur (guess what I would choose??  .) There are beautiful ski sweaters and pants that are simple and elegant, fur trimmed jackets laced with leather and grommet details and, of course, fur coats of all lengths to absolutely die for.
Mark told me about M.Miller’s success here in the US and how that has led to their success as they expand the brand into Europe. The M.Miller brand can now be found in the ever-so-amazing Harrods, which is quite an accomplishment and testament to the uniqueness and quality of the brand and the apparel.
In addition to designing and selling luxury fur, M.Miller has been cleaning and storing furs for Boston’s who’s who for many years and, while I was there, a number of women came in with their treasured furs and dropped them off to their fabulous summer home.
It was an absolute pleasure to meet Mark, Miyuki and Mark’s parents, all working together to make the long cold winters that much more stylish. Check them out at www.mmillerfur.com.
By Michelle A Heath, on 03.19.13 | Getting dressed in the morning can be a royal pain in the ass. Even for a stylist. It’s easy to fall back on that steady-eddy outfit that is so easy to throw on. It usually involves jeans, a tee or tank and a jacket. Ho hum. I have a closet full of adorable clothes and seem to gravitate toward the same ones.
This morning, it was a snowy mess here in Boston. I had a big girl meeting and thought that I should get all dolled up in my Wolfords and a dress and all that jazz and then thought, “what goes with Sorel snowboots?” Right, not much, sadly. With coffee in one hand, iPhone in the other and two kids home from a snow day all piled into my closet I thought to myself, just pick something already!
 Vintage DVF Jacket On with the jeans, then a white tank. I realized this is like my canvas. From here I can put anything on top. I went to pull a black ruched-sleeve blazer when I saw my vintage DVF jacket hanging there, dying to be worn. I bought this gorgeous Diane von Furstenberg jacket for my daughter’s christening back in 2003. (Sadly, the day of the christening was so damn hot that I never wore it.) It was definitely a splurge purchase for me at the time and my post-maternity clothes status definitely had something to do with pushing me over the edge. But I remember the day I tried it on and how it fit perfectly. Jackets are meant to be an amazing fit and that’s what happened when I tried this on. It fit like a glove – no alterations necessary – and the print was retro and fun and, well, it was me.
What I realized this morning is that splurging for the right piece often becomes less about a splurge and more about an investment. When I say this to my clients they often laugh at the thought of justifying a great handbag or jacket or pair of shoes as an “investment” but it’s true. Think about this. I spent about $400 on my DVF jacket in 2003. It looked great then and when I wore it today at least 3 people said, “Wow, I love your jacket!” That’s 10 years worth of wear and it looks amazing and is now actually considered vintage. Go figure. So, instead of buying 4 $100 trendy jackets made of crappy fabric that will last 1-2 seasons, I could buy one fantastic piece that will live in my closet probably forever.
As you think Spring, think about a short list of items that will really complete your wardrobe. Maybe a pair of perfect-fitting black pants, that handbag you’ve been eyeing or a pencil skirt or those coveted designer shoes in a neutral tone. Fill in the rest of the outfit with more inexpensive pieces that can go from season to season. Your closet will thank you. Your husbands, boyfriends and partners will think you are brilliant for making an investment. And, you will look smashing, elegant and stylish. It’s a win, win, win.
PS: Need some help figuring out which pieces to clean out and which pieces to invest in? Now’s a great time to get your closet ready for the warm weather! Schedule an appointment today and be stylish. Get in touch michelle@thestylisheye.com.
Go forth and be stylish.
By Michelle A Heath, on 12.04.12 | Hello my fashion vixens. It’s that time of year where we pull out our sweaters and boots and coats from last season and try to figure out what we need to do to update our wardrobe to take us through Fall and Winter.
I don’t know about you, but I pretty much live in jeans. If you’ve been in my closet, you’ve witnessed my collection of jeans of all colors, fits and washes. So, I thought that it might be fun to talk about what’s happening with the jean trend for Fall so you’re sure to be all the rage.
What’s Hot:
 Mother Denim "Atomic Pink" featured at injeanius Boston 1. Bright colors: Red, blue, purple, you name it. Just about any color you can imagine is hot for Fall. A bright blue can really spice up your night life if you, like me, wear jeans everywhere. Pair a pair of blue skinny jeans with a gold belt, some rocking booties and a simple top and you are ready to turn heads.
2. Cropped: Believe it or not, cropped is carrying from Spring/Summer into Fall/Winter. I am an ambitious 5’2″ so for a shortie like me, cropped is really “ankle length.” How many women in this world really wear a 33″ inseam? Seriously! So, cropped is awesome because you can roll them and crop them even more or, if you’re short, you can avoid the $20 hem fee. They also tuck really well into boots and have a great look with heels. Love!
3. Tuxedo stripes: Another huge trend is the tuxedo strip. Hudson makes an awesome pair in all sorts of cool colors and I recently saw a fun pair of black jeans with sequin stripes. Glams up your jeans and they can look much dressier for those holiday parties and fun things that you do when you’re not chasing after your kids or moping up after your colleagues at work.
 Vince Camuto Faux Leather Knit Pant 4. Leather/Pleather: I have been a huge fan of leather pants since I splurged for that awesome pair of “leather jeans” circa 1998 only to sit on a chewed piece of bubblicious gum on a subway in NYC and, well, the rest was a sad story. You can still invest in a $400 pair of leather pants but let’s face it. They are hot (in a sweaty bad way), don’t have a lot of give in certain places and, well, for that $$ you could buy a great leather jacket. My investment two seasons ago was a pair of leather/cotton/spandex pants. Hot faux leather on the front and then a mix of cotton and spandex on the back. I wore them in Venice and they are still saucy as ever! And, a fraction of the cost of leather pants. H&M seems to carry these off and on, so keep your eyes open!
5. Zipped: Zippers are everywhere on jeans this season. Zippers as side pockets, zippers on the ankles, zippers as detail on the leg…it’s a zipped-up trend! I love it because it takes me back to the 80′s when zippers were on everything. Luckily, these jeans have no pleats (see below) and the zipper trend is fun and sassy.
What’s Not:
 Dear god...pleats and acid wash. #shootmenow 1. Acid wash: I’m sorry. I just cannot get into this again. I wonder if it would be different had I not be scarred by the acid wash of the 80s (mostly acid washes I did myself.ugh) or if this trend is just awful every time it comes around? Sorry, pass.
2. Flare: Another trend I just can’t get into. The super flare wide leg. I think that maybe if you are 5’10″ and rocking the Bohemian Rhapsody look, you can pull it off. For the rest of us, it makes us look like flower-child wanna bee’s. No one needs any of that.
3. Pajama jeans: Don’t do it. Ever. Or I’ll kill you.
4. Pleats: Pleats are awful on anything. Why would you possibly want more material near your hips and thighs? That’s right, you don’t. Keep it neat and simple.
5. Paisley: I have to say these are so horrible. Especially in velvet and corduroy. Pass.
What’s on your hot/not list for jean trends this Fall and Winter?
By Michelle A Heath, on 09.18.12 | It was 2003 and I was in an elevator in NYC heading to see a client. An impeccably dressed man in a couture suit of some sort said to me: “Damn, girl, those are some serious fence climbers!” To which I said: “Thanks,” tho I had no idea what he meant until he got out of the elevator. Which was when I had this crazy flash in my head…of me in my ridiculously pointy shoes climbing a fence in a tight black dress, vamp lips and police headlights on my rear. Okay, now that’s never happened (you didn’t think I was serious did you?) but I loved the description of the pointy toe shoe – good enough to climb a fence…just in case you need to.
 Truth or Dare by Madonna 'Corlew' Pump
- Well, ladies, they are back for Fall. The pointy toe. I have to say that I have been waiting for the tides to turn. It was tough for me to move from pointy to round toe – I always thought the pointier toe was much sexier and better elongated the leg, but the fashion gods spoke and we all bought round toe pumps for years.
Another interesting trend I’ve noticed is that the amount of “toe platform” for Fall is much much smaller than in previous seasons. I have to say I am ready for this change too. As much as the platform at the front of the shoe helps “balance” the height of the heel, I find they can be much less sturdy to walk in. I am digging the straight-up, stiletto. No stacked heels, no platforms. Just a sexy shoe with a straight heel. I recently had to (I know I know) buy these beauties on the left. Who doesn’t love a good game of truth or dare? More importantly, I loved the combination of the gold edge on the toe and the black calf hair. I have been wearing them all week. They are remarkably comfortable (for a stiletto, of course:) and look great with dresses, jeans and just about anything. Highly recommend them.
- Have you come across some great heels for Fall? Do share!
By Michelle A Heath, on 08.19.12 |  R. Pattinson in Gucci It’s been a while since I’ve written about men’s fashion. This week, I got an eyeful of RPatz, or Robert Pattinson the vampire extraordinaire from the Twilight Series, as he stepped-out as a newly single guy for his “Cosmopolis” premiere in NYC. What I loved about his look for the premiere is that he turned up the heat by wearing something very simple: a well-tailored suit. In my opinion, a great suit is a staple in every man’s closet. I work with several male clients who claim to have “no need for a suit.” They work at start-ups where they can wear jeans and flip flops or at an office where it’s just business casual. To this, I say the following: Every man should have a great pair of shoes and a well-tailored suit. If own own nothing else, you must own these two things. A great suit is more than the three-piece suit your dad wore to business meetings. The suit is a versatile staple in your wardrobe and can easily go from a business meeting, to a wedding, to a night on the town to a holiday party to just about any event.
Now, not all of us can afford the fine Gucci thread, but I have found fantastic suits and amazing brands at bargain shops like Marshalls, Nordstrom Rack and TJ Maxx. These places are great if you know FOR SURE that you are a 44R. If you THINK you are a 44R, you need to go to the men’s department at either Nordstrom or Lord & Taylor. The guys at these shops can look you up and down and tell you that you are actually a 46R and you’ll notice the difference when you put on the jacket. Now, it doesn’t have to be Gucci. It just has to fit…perfectly. I take this part of it seriously. How many times to do you see this:
- The undertaker: A suit cut way too big and swimming on the poor guy.
- The stuffed sausage: A suit that probably once fit, but, well, life happens.
- The dry-cleaner did it: Suit pants that were once a proper break and are now floods.
- The incredible hulk: A suit jacket that is bursting at the seams. You won’t like me when I’m mad.
I could go on. I notice these things. Other people notice these things, and let’s face it, that’s the world we live in. So, let’s say a) your suit falls into one of the above categories or b) you don’t own a suit at all (the horror!)…let’s figure out how to get you in a suit that fits and makes you look red-carpet worthy. Or at least worthy of your fabulous arm candy to your friend’s wedding or your birthday celebration dinner.
Step #1: SIZE MATTERS
As with most things, when buying a suit, size matters. You need to know if you’re a 44 or a 46. A short, regular or long. You have to start here first and having a suit-fitting pro help you makes a big difference here. When buying a suit, you don’t want to cheap out. A cheap suit looks…cheap. I’m not suggesting you have to make an appointment at Armani, but go to a shop that has a good variety of brands and prices and, most importantly, has the suit fitting master who can help you find the perfect suit. As you know, I am a huge bargain shopper and love to get a deal but beware of cheap fabric that will pill and fray and look worn in no-time. Many shops have suit sales and offer discounts on great brands – those events are a great time to buy.
 Carey Grant - Sharp Dressed Man Step #2: CUT, FABRIC & COLOR
Next comes the cut of the suit and the fabric. A big trend right now is the European-cut suit, which typically has very fitted, straight leg pants (no pleats), a very tailored jacket and often a double vent (or the slit) in the back, which is pretty sharp but not for all backsides, so be sure to check the ventage (aka, you don’t want two flaps flapping in the wind behind you:). This cut of suit doesn’t work for everyone. That’s why they make average-cut and athletic-cut and slim-cut and husky-cut. As for fabric, most suits are made of some % of wool and blended with another fabric. If you’re going to buy one suit, you’ll want to look for an “all-seasons” suit, which is made of a lighter fabric. It means you’ll still sweat your b**ls off sitting at your friend’s wedding at that church next summer but you’ll look damn dapper. As for color, again if you’re going to get one suit, I recommend either a charcoal grey or black. These colors are really easy to mix and match and work in all seasons. So, now you have found a few suits in a few different cuts and fabrics. Now what?
Step 3: TRY IT ON
Finding a suit is not as easy as knowing you’re a 34 waist and a 30 inseam. It doesn’t work that way. The jacket determines the size of the suit. Let’s say you’re a 44R (the most common size.) You try the jacket and it buttons nicely without gaping. The sleeves are too long? No worries, the tailor will hem them up. The sleeves are too short? You might need to try a different jacket or potentially a long. As for the pants, they typically come unhemmed so that the tailor (many shops offer free tailoring) can do a perfect hem based on your inseam. So…you have to try them on. What you’ll want to do in order to figure out the best cut and fit for you, is take a number of suits into the fitting room. And see what feels comfortable. If the pants are too tight, but the jacket fits, often times the tailor can let the pants out. I typically don’t recommend going up a suit size unless you need it in the jacket (or you’ll look like the undertaker, no one wants that.)
Step #4: TAILOR MADE
Once you’ve found the suit that makes you look like a million bucks and feels great on, you’ll want to get it tailored. A great tailor is key. They know how to take up the pants so they have a perfect break. They know when to take in the pants and when to let them out. They know how to hem the sleeves so they are perfectly sized to your thumb bone. All the details will be covered. Again, worth investing in a shop where there’s an on-site tailor to make this super-easy.
Step #5: WEAR IT WELL
The great news about most suits these days is that suit pants can double as dress pants for the night. Look for a classic flat-front trouser and you can wear them with a great button-down shirt for night or even for day. The jacket gets tricky to pair without the pants. If you’re a fan of the “jacket and jeans look,” be sure to get sports coats vs suit jackets – it makes a big difference. A great suit can be worn with or without a tie, dressed up or down and, with a classic cut, fabric and color, last you a good 3-5 years.
Let’s face it. Every girl’s crazy about a sharp dressed man (maybe sans the giant beards, just sayin’.) Need some help suiting up? You know where to find me.
Go forth and be stylish.
By Michelle A Heath, on 07.18.12 |  Anna Palmer & Christine Rizk, co-founders of Fashion Project Last night, I was honored to be among Boston’s stylish set for the launch of Fashion Project. My friends, Anna Palmer and Christine Rizk, founded Fashion Project (formerly known as Swapfish), with the mission of using your closet to change lives. The service is incredibly simple, useful and charitable: donate closet items you no longer wear and support an amazing charity. To make it even easier, Fashion Project will send you a box for your items and you simply fill it up and send it back. They then photograph the items, post them on their website and people buy them. Once an item is purchased, Fashion Project takes 40% and passes along the other 60% to the charity. Cleaning out your closet has never felt so good!
The website is dependent on high-quality donations and makes brands like Louis Vuitton, Kate Spade, Burberry and Armani accessible at pretty amazing price points.
 Fashion Project's Louis Vuitton Thompson Street Bag Take for example this adorable yellow Louis Vuitton shoulder bag. Retail price over $1000, gently used and yours for under $400. Now that is a bargain. Add on the fact that $238 of your bargain goes to support Northeast Arc, the leader provider of life-long services for families and individuals with developmental disabilities. That’s pretty awesome.
Innovation Economy blogger, Scott Kirsner, featured Fashion Project as “a way to make donated couture work harder” in his article covering the company a few weeks ago. I couldn’t agree more. I am guilty of packing up beautiful items from my closet and sending them off to donation – often unsure as to where they really end up and who they really help. Fashion Project makes it easy to see your direct impact on a charity and is such a feel-good blend of shopping (for us shop-a-holics) and do good (for us wanna-make-a-difference people) that I know they are on to huge success as they evolve the charitable giving space.
I had a blast at the launch party last night and donated a gorgeous black Theory blazer (retail: $400) that I never wear because my office life is super-casual. Cannot wait to see it up on the Fashion Project site and know that it will go to a great new home and help make someone else’s life better at the same time.
Thanks to friend, fellow fashionista, and new CMO at Fashion Project, Michelle McCormack, for organizing an amazing launch event at the ever-so-hip, Cafeteria on Newbury. As producer of Boston’s Fashion Night Out she’ll be incorporating Fashion Project in the festivities. Mark your calendars for Sept. 6th for some great events in and around the city.
Now it’s time to sign up and start your Fashion Project donations…man, the fashion business is fun.
By Michelle A Heath, on 06.28.12 | My frock is ready. My 9yr old fashionista insisted on providing wardrobe assistance. She picked the dress and we worked on the shoes. She said, and I quote, “Hm, it’s a bit of a color jumble but I think you can pull it off.” Phew…
Now on to the important stuff. My last but not least interview. Bryan Finocchio is the mastermind behind the Catwalk events And is founder and passionate leader at Open HeARTS, Inc. I’m honored to know Bryan and his team and continue to love their combo plate of do good stuff with being stylish and having fun. Bryan told me a bit about tonight’s SOLD OUT Catwalk for BMC Cancer Care and why he’s all pumped up.
Me: What makes the Catwalk for BMC Cancer Care so special to you?
Bryan: This Catwalk is our first partnered event as well as Catwalk’s first event as Open HeARTS, Inc., which makes this show special to us. Not to mention that this is Boston Medical Center’s Cancer Care Center’s inaugural event. Lots of pressure!!
Me: Why did the folks at BMC decide a catwalk event with Open HeARTS was the way to generate buzz and money for their cause?
Bryan:Good question! When they heard about past Catwalk Events and how they a run, I think they wanted to pursue the idea. I guess I give a good pitch. When I sat down with BMC to talk about what a Catwalk Event is and how we incorporate survivors into our show as well as developing talent in the area, they seemed sold. Catwalk Events are unique in the fact that we take pride in our survivors and incorporating “real” people as well as models in our events. It’s something different that an organization can call its own.
Me: What can people attending expect to see?
Bryan: Like any Catwalk Event, attendees will experience a silent auction, fashion show and post reception. Our fashion show this years will include designers as well as a stylist, something new for a Catwalk Event. We also decided to represent the comprehensive types of cancer BMC treats by assigning each designer a color to represent a ribbon. Although not every cancer is represented, we want to give viewers a fun, summertime show complete with an array of colors symbolizing the “melting pot” of cultures and treatments BMC is known for.
Me: How does partnering with BMC expand the mission of Open HeARTS?
Bryan: One part of Open HeARTS’ mission is to work with area organizations, corporate businesses and nonprofits creating events. The chance to work with BMC helps expand our efforts in planning elaborate events for a cause. By working with BMC, we are also able to take developing artists, in this case Fashion Designers, and give them a platform to show their work to a large audience, essentially fulfilling the second part of Open HeARTS’ mission.
Me:What will you be wearing? (of course:)
Bryan: I am too busy planning to think about what I am wearing! I would assume either J?Crew, H&M or a mixture of both!
I’m sure you will look fabulous and will be glowing tomorrow night, Bryan. Great work and can’t wait for the show!
By Michelle A Heath, on 06.25.12 |  Designer Candice Wu Counting down the days until the models take the runway for the Catwalk for BMC Cancer Care event on Thursday, June 28th. The fun part for me, other than the excitement of the actual evening, is being able to go behind the scenes and bring you a taste of who some of the great people are that make the event possible.
I promised to give you a look inside some of the fashion designers who will be sending their creations out on the runway. Meet Candice Wu. Candice was born in Hong Kong and moved to the United States at 17 to pursue her dream of being a fashion designer. Candice made that dream come true and graduated from the Boston School of Fashion Design and now runs her own design business.
What I love about Candice’s designs is that they you can feel her cultural influences come through in the patterns, fabrics, appliques and colors. She told me she loves to blend traditional elements with modern ideas when creating her pieces and that definitely shines through. Candice does it all when it comes to designing and producing her fashions. She sketches, creates patterns, sews, drapes, beads and fabricates all of her one-of-a-kind pieces and it’s no surprise that she won the honor of the 2012 Boston Fashion Award.
 From the Candice Wu 'Esoteric' Collection I had the opportunity to talk to Candice a bit about her involvement in the Catwalk for BMC Cancer Care. She’s no new-comer to events like this as she’s been participating in Bryan Finocchio’s Catwalk events (now Open HeARTS Inc) for three years now. She’s happy to be back to share her design inspiration with patients, survivors and all the great people coming to the event. Candice describes her design approach as mixing beauty and function together. I love her recent collection – Esoteric – as it is just that. There are great jackets and blouses for work attire and throw in some great leather pants or shorts and you’re ready to hit the town. I love the rock and roll, edgy feel of the collection and have a wish list together already. I asked Candice what she likes best about being a fashion designer and she said:
“I have two best parts if that’s okay. One is when an idea pops into my head, and I am able to make it into reality, that feeling is very satisfying and fulfilling. The second is when other people like my designs…it makes all the hard work worthwhile.”
Candice says that she sees the bright and bold color trend continuing into Fall and that she’ll, most likely, be wearing pink next Thursday. I’m a big fan of Candice’s work. I love how she combines her cultural influences with feminine, functional and beautiful pieces that are unique and bold. Candice’s collection will be featured at this Thursday’s Catwalk for BMC Cancer Care. I hope you can join me in looking fashionable while supporting a great cause. (UPDATE: Sadly, tickets are sold out for the event, but if you really really want to come, email me as they might open up more tickets and I can see what I can do.)
By Michelle A Heath, on 06.19.12 |  I had a chance to talk with Holt Murray, Senior Cause Marketing Officer at Boston Medical Center about the upcoming (Thursday June 28th) Catwalk for BMC Cancer Care. It is exciting to see a top-tier medical institution like BMC parterning with my friends at Open HeARTS to make raising money for cancer services and overall awareness fun and fashionable.
What’s kind of small world but big universe about all of this is the fact that Twitter played a major role in connecting me with Holt (probably at least a year ago, totally random and completely unrelated to Open HeARTS) and Twitter played a major role in connecting Holt with Bryan Finocchio, President & Founder of Open HeARTS, because of last year’s amazing Catwalk for a Cure event to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Love the power of social media making new connections and spurring new ideas.
Q&A with Holt Murray
Me: So, tell me, how did BMC get involved with Bryan and the Open HeARTS team?
Holt: I use Twitter quite a bit for work (events, leads, etc.) and had followed Bryan while he was doing the Catwalk for a Cure to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. After the event was over, I contacted Bryan on Twitter and we met to discuss a partnership between our two organizations. It seemed natural to have a Catwalk event (since that is in Bryan’s wheelhouse of expertise) to benefit BMC’s Cancer Care Center, which is located in the Moakley building at BMC.
Me: Has BMC done an event like this before? If not, what prompted you to do the Catwalk event?
Holt: BMC executes many events such as our annual BMC Gala (which raised over $2.2 M this past May), our annual golf event in July and the Mayo Bowl (Patriots’ Defensive Captain Jerod Mayo’s charity event benefiting BMC happening on September 10, 2012). On average we execute 7-9 events large and small designed to benefit BMC programs. Up to this point, we have never had a cancer-specific fundraising event and given the number of cancer patients we serve and the level of complexity of the cases, we really needed to create something unique to raise awareness and funds.
Me: Tell me about your goals for the event and how Open HeARTS plays into meeting those goals.
 Holt: BMC has a very specific role in the community and our cancer care services are no exception. We provide superb cancer care to the residents of Boston who are most at risk and least likely to receive the care that all cancer patients deserve. Because of who we serve, I would argue that no other hospital so routinely goes the extra mile to ensure that patients are getting the care they need. Everything from providing rides to treatment, arranging for interpreters or child care, or scheduling appointments and coordinating treatment plans so that patients miss as little work (and wages) as possible. Catwalk will raise the visibility of BMC and there is no better partner to help us do this than Bryan Finnochio of Open Hearts. He is passionate about cancer care and helping BMC promote all the good that we are doing. Much of Bryan’s passion comes from his “other” job as a Registered Nurse! He brings his commitment to healthcare and passion for fashion together for these Catwalk events. He’s an impressive guy all the way around and we’re lucky to be working with him.
Me: Will patients/survivors be participating in the event? Tell me how.
Holt: Definitely! Great question…we wouldn’t have it any other way. We’ll have patients IN the fashion show itself and patients will also be attending the event. A great number of employees of the Cancer Care Center will be in the audience cheering on our patients. For many of our patients, the caregivers at BMC are “family.” For our caregivers, the feeling is mutual.
Me: How does BMC view the Catwalk event as a way to raise awareness and money for cancer care services?
Holt: These funds will not go to research, but to services for our cancer patients and for the great facility at BMC. National and local celebrities will be playing key roles in the event which helps raise the profile. These celebrities, along with the designers, their networks and Bryan’s networks, will attract a new audience for us. At the event, we will take just a few moments to educate everyone about how BMC is special. However, having the patients and their caregivers walking in the show will tell it all. Each patient has a story and these stories together create the BMC story and I can attest to the fact that is one like no other.
 2011 Catwalk for a Cure Runway (courtesy Nick Mandella Photography) Me: What excites you most about the event?
Holt: That we have six designers donating their time and expertise to us and creating unique styles specifically for this event and their patient/survivor runway models. I’m equally excited by the idea that this is the inaugural event for a to-be annual event for the Cancer Care Center. Having the chance to highlight (through this event and in this breathtaking location high atop 60 State Street) the incredible work done in the Moakley Building is akin to asking me to brag about all that is good and forward thinking at Boston Medical Center.
Me: And, the most important question, what and who will you be wearing??
Holt: Tux (I think, definitely a tux. I believe RL Polo).
Me: Holt, that will be a definite upgrade from the puffy vest…but we love you anyway. Can’t take the fashion critic out of the girl.
We can all use a great excuse to dust off an old party dress, buy a new party dress or just show up looking like you’re ready to party. So get your tickets for the Catwalk for BMC Cancer Care before all the fashionable people in Boston have scooped them up —> BUY TICKETS HERE!
Look for my upcoming posts where I’ll interview some of the fashion designers you’ll meet at the event! Stay tuned….
By Michelle A Heath, on 06.13.12 |  Looking for a stylish way to support a great cause? Join me and the awesome folks from Open HeARTS on Thursday June 28, 2012 for the Catwalk for BMC Cancer Care. Boston Medical Center (BMC) has partnered up with with my friends Bryan, Nick and the team at Open HeARTS, Inc. to host fashion show to benefit Cancer Care Services. It’s the first BMC fashion show and it’s great to see local organizations working together to do something fun, fashionable and charitable. The event will feature local celebrities and artists, BMC staff, patients, survivors, a silent auction, free gifts, hors d’oeuvres and cocktails.
I’m very excited to see the runway full of creations from these amazing designers. I’ll be profiling a few of them over the next few weeks to get you ready for the main event.
When: 7-11p.m., Thursday, June 28 2012
Where: The State Room at 60 State Street Boston
How: Tickets are $100 and available at www.openheartsinc.org
See you there!
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