For the first time, the evening featured male models.
Kaleidoscopic colors flooded a narrow runway, glistening the sequins on ball gowns and the buttons on three-piece suits.
While models paraded the latest spring and formal fashions, they were simultaneously strutting something greater — survival.
On Thursday evening, the South Jersey Breast Cancer Coalition and Women of Hope Resource Center hosted their third annual Fashion Show Survivors: Always in Style at Paris Caterers. The show’s proceeds, which included several vendors and sponsors, went toward both Berlin-based nonprofits that strive to make a difference in the lives of women across New Jersey.
For the first time, the show, which encompasses survivors of breast cancer, addiction, domestic violence, sexual abuse, human trafficking and other adversities, featured two male models.
“This year, just having the opportunity to give back, just to hear my truth, hear my story and share this blessing,” said model and survivor LeRoy Stanford, clinical supervisor for Women of Hope and a professor at Camden County College in Blackwood.
Each of the seven main models and five SJBCC models had their stories read aloud by emcee Heather DeLuca of SoJO 104.9 before gracing the stage to an empowering song of their choice.
Dressed in attire from Boscov’s, the Greatest Find Thriftique and St. Vincent dePauls, the show featured a formal and semi-formal portion, which was followed by summer wear and casual attire.
While wearing swanky styles was thrilling for the models, one of the most inspiring aspects of the show was bonding with fellow survivors, weaving one another’s journeys together on a single platform.
“Through pain, overcoming adversities — allowing other people to intertwine and give us the help needed when needed,” said model and survivor Robert Thomas. “Being able to shed those tears openly without feeling embarrassed. Being able to grow and mature and move forward in a way that a lot of us have never known. And, it’s just a beautiful thing.”
Although the show’s preparations have been underway for the past few months, the models say they met the evening before the show, yet they did not feel unfamiliar from one another, as the ability to recuperate often builds relationships.
“We felt like we knew each other all along, honestly,” said model and survivor Tamela Hartman. “And I think once you’ve been through something, like (Robert’s) story is so different than our story, because (Susan Hutchinson and I) are both breast cancer survivors, but you still feel like you’ve survived something. So, that brings you together in a way that maybe other people aren’t brought together.”
And while the show bridged the unbrokeness of its participants, the models say it was also intended to enlighten the audience, encouraging attendees to tap into their own stories of survival.
Following the intermission, individuals in the crowd volunteered to share their own experiences with cancer, addiction and other adversities while honoring their loved ones who either lost their lives to such battles or continue to fight.
“People come (to the show) with good intentions,” said model and survivor Susan Hutchinson. “To raise money and be supportive, and they have an opportunity to see a group of people who’ve been through a variety of adversity — functioning and friendly and out there supporting one another and supporting the group. And, I think, that also gives them a different perspective — that there is hope.”
The models say they aimed to move audience members as well as one another throughout the performance. The fashion show serves as a milestone along their paths toward recovery.
Even past the event, the survivors discussed their hopes to help others heal through their own self-help programs, college lectures or simply sharing their stories with those who want to listen.
“God has restored all of our lives. We’re survivors. We’ve survived everything,” Stanford said. “We are that vision of hope … we are that vision of hope for others that we fight.”
