More than 400 celebrities, designers, industry influencers and autism advocates attended Autism Speaks' inaugural La Vie En BLUE Fashion Gala, which took place Thursday, September 29, 2016 at Warner Bros.
Credit/Copyright: Lily Lawrence/Getty Images for Autism Speaks
Studios’ back lot on the Brownstone Street. This Partisan-themed night of fashion and philanthropy was produced by Metropolitan Fashion Week with proceeds going to the Autism Speaks Southern California Chapter.
Credit/Copyright: Lily Lawrence/Getty Images for Autism Speaks
Hosted by Entertainment Tonight’s Kevin Frazier and model Molly Sims, this star-studded fundraiser featured celebrities including Adrienne Bailon (The Real), Eve, Hilary Rhoda, Keltie Knight (The Insider) and Vivica A. Fox (Independence Day: Resurgence) strutting the runway in gorgeous blue evening gowns, which are now up for auction on 501auctions.com/lafashiongala. Children on the autism spectrum, varying from ages six to 13, modeled the latest fashions from GUESS Kids donated by the GUESS Foundation.
Highlighting the evening was an awards presentation to two champions of Autism Speaks’ mission – Untitled Entertainment talent manager Steven Grossman (who received the award from his client, The Real’s Jeannie Mai) and City National Bank’s SVP Harry Topping Jr. Both honorees have children on the autism spectrum and were honored for their exemplary leadership, longstanding support and generous commitment to Autism Speaks.
“Tonight we honored and highlighted the advocacy efforts of two amazing fathers, Harry Topping, Jr. and Steven Grossman, who both have sons with autism,” said Suzette Martinez, Executive Director of Autism Speaks Southern California. “Their journeys with autism, their search for answers and their passion to raise awareness about are equally inspirational.”
The fashion gala also included an exclusive performance from ZUMANITY by Cirque du Soleil, live music from DJ Pauly D and DJ Splyce and a live auction hosted by TV personality Matt Rogers (Home & Family). Also performing was teen Amanda Anderson, an aspiring opera singer with autism.
Credit/Copyright: Lily Lawrence/Getty Images for Autism Speaks
Among the stars who attended include Jeannie Mai (The Real), Aubrey O’Day (Celebrity Big Brother), Shenae Grimes (90210), Kristian Alfonso (Days of Our Lives), Joanna Krupa (Real Housewives of Miami), Kym Whitley (Young & Hungry), model/musician Josh Beech, Perez Hilton, Ashlan Gorse Costeau, and Antonio Jaramillo (Shades of Blue).
David Tupaz Couture, Dalia Macphee, Ron Tomson, Carl Andrada, Erick Bendana, Julie Danforth, Jhiovani Fasons, Usama Ishtay and Sivalia Couture were among the unique fashion and costume designers featured in the fashion show.
Co-chairing La Vie En BLUE were attorney Georgianna Junco-Kelman (Law Offices of Georgianna Junco-Kelman) and Nikki Pesusich (president of Coterie Media). Stars that have lent their support to La Vie En BLUE’s honorary host committee include Christie Brinkley, Naomi Campbell, Molly Sims, Paris Hilton, Kelly Osbourne, Melissa Rivers, NeNe Leakes, Kelly Rowland, Loni Love and Jeannie Mai.
La Vie En BLUE was generously sponsored by the Guess Foundation, City National Bank, CBRE, Paul Attanasio, Common Wealth Partners, Steelcase, Tangram, FX Networks, MK Rice, Gensler, Howard Building Co, Samsung Group, Coca-Cola Company, Two Faced Cosmetics, Urban Decay Cosmetics, Kendra Scott Jewelry, Big Sugar Bakeshop, Porto’s Bakery, Hidden Gardens Florist and The Los Angeles Kings. Entertainment Tonight, The Hollywood Reporter and Variety were media sponsors.
For more info about La Vie En BLUE, go to autismspeaks.org/lafashiongala.
