Calling all Fashionistas

In just a few short weeks, Children’s Cancer Connection will host its inaugural fashion benefit, Couture for a Cause. The event will feature Celebrity Emcee First Lady Chris Branstad and women from Children’s Cancer Connection modeling beautiful apparel and accessories from C’est Bon, Worn, Plato’s Closet, Dorthea’s Closet, and Bargain Basket. The event begins at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 2nd at Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines. The program will begin at 10:30 and conclude by noon.

Tiffany K. Spinner, Director of Donor Relations said that Children’s Cancer Connection came up with the idea for Couture for a Cause around the holidays.

“We were discussing that one area of the economy that hadn’t been impacted as much was second-hand stores,” Spinner said. “We wanted to get those stores involved that cater to a niche market. I thought it would be cool to hold a fashion show with great accessories and apparel from several local designer re-sale boutiques.”

After contacting the local businesses to see if they would be willing to help out with the show, a local woman also contacted Children’s Cancer Connection about the opening of her own re-sale boutique, C’est Bon.

Owner of C’est Bon, Bonnie Baldwin, had decided earlier that the net proceeds from her store would be donated to Children’s Cancer Connection. Baldwin was looking for a way to get involved with Children’s Cancer Connection and Couture for a Cause was the perfect start.

“The new boutique, C’est Bon, is a great complement to the others stores,” Spinner said. “We then asked our board member, Christine Branstad, if she would help us secure her aunt, Chris Branstad, as our celebrity emcee…and the event just continued to grow!”

Not only will there be a fashion show at Couture for a Cause, the event will also offer an outstanding champagne brunch, the chance to be served by the men of Sigma Alpha Epsilon from Drake University, the soothing sounds of live music by local musicians, a sensational swag bag with fun giveaways for every attendee and the possibility of winning some exciting prizes. The fabulous prizes include: jewelry designed by Jacci Dewdney, a professional makeover from Merle Norman Clocktower Square, Children’s Cancer Connection apparel, and the GRAND PRIZE of gift certificates to all the amazing designer re-sale boutiques!

Tickets to the event are just $40 per person. You can purchase tickets online or call Children’s Cancer Connection office at 515-243-6239. You may also indicate your seating partners online, so be sure to invite your friends to join you! Come together as we show you that high quality fashion doesn’t have to come at high prices. You may even go home with some new pieces for your own closet!

“We are excited to see the success of this year’s event and hope it continues to grow each year,” Spinner said.