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Fashion show

Beyond the Field: Teen Lacrosse Player Champions Inclusivity

February 27, 2025 by Fran Goldstein

PHOTO BY SEAN ZANNI

How does a teenage lacrosse player become a passionate advocate for inclusivity, accessibility, and helping people with disabilities? For Chappaqua’s Zac Klein, it was a chance encounter with a seeing-eye dog helping its owner navigate the streets. Zac, 13 at the time, was curious. His research led him to Guiding Eyes for the Blind, and he wanted to help. Although too young for the organization’s official volunteer roles, Zac organized toy drives and fundraisers in his community.

“It was a natural next step from helping people who are visually impaired to serving the broader community of people with disabilities,” said Zac, now 17 and a Horace Greeley High School junior. He balances a busy schedule, including playing varsity and club lacrosse, and participating in clubs like SHARE (Students Have a Responsibility Everywhere), a student-run, volunteer community service group. Through SHARE, Zac has taught English to immigrant children and lacrosse skills to a Bronx team.

But what truly sparked Zac’s passion was The Runway of Dreams Foundation. For the past decade, the organization has raised awareness of the challenges people with disabilities face in wearing conventional clothing and convinced the fashion industry to create adaptive clothing with features such as easy zippers, Velcro, magnets and adjustable sleeves.

The foundation arose from New Jersey resident Mindy Scheier’s desire to help her son fit in with his friends. Like any other eight-year-old, he wanted to wear jeans to school, but they wouldn’t accommodate the leg braces he wore due to a rare form of muscular dystrophy. A professional fashion designer, Mindy adapted a pair of jeans for him. Inspired by her son’s newfound confidence, she researched ways to increase access to adaptive fashion.

Since its 2014 launch, Runway of Dreams supports initiatives to broaden the reach of mainstream adaptive clothing and promote people with disabilities in the fashion industry. It raises consumer awareness and inspires change in the industry through educational programs, campaigns for inclusion, and large-scale runway shows featuring models with various disabilities wearing adaptive clothing. Thanks to the Foundation’s work, Tommy Hilfiger pioneered adaptive clothing lines for kids, with many brands following suit, developing fashion for the disabled population.

Zac learned about Runway of Dreams from his sister, who had volunteered through her college club. To learn more, he attended the organization’s signature event – its 2023 fashion show at New York City’s Fashion Week. The experience inspired Zac. “Seeing the models’ faces light up with joy was so inspiring,” he said. “I just wanted to help. The more I learned, the more it made sense to get involved.”

Runway of Dreams had a presence on college campuses for years, with students fundraising and hosting runway events. Involving high school students in this effort was still a nascent idea, and Zac’s call to inquire about volunteering was well timed.

He began by sharing Runway of Dreams posts on his social media. “I think everyone should care, and I wanted to spread the word,” Zac explained. “Inclusion isn’t just a word. It’s about giving everyone respect and the opportunities they deserve.”

The highlight of Zac’s involvement was volunteering at the September 2024 Runway of Dreams fashion show, “Fashion Revolution,” its 10th anniversary event. Presented by Victoria’s Secret & Co., the show featured fashion designs by leading designers on more than 60 models, representing a diverse range of ages, disabilities and backgrounds.

The models are selected through a nationwide application process. Volunteers are partnered with each model to provide support throughout the long, sometimes overwhelming day, and ensure that they have a successful experience, according to Elisa Schwartz, a Runway of Dreams project manager who works with the models and trains the volunteers. “This role is not for everyone,” she said. “It requires maturity and endurance. Volunteers like Zac make all the difference, especially for young children.”

Zac was paired with eight-year-old Josiah Clark. Zac was at Josiah’s side throughout the day, playing games, taking him to the sensory room for a break from the commotion, and giving his mom some down time. “I developed a very special bond with Josiah,” Zac said. “We made up our own secret handshake and super jump, and we did both on the runway. The crowd went crazy, and Josiah’s face lit up with joy. It was amazing.”

Looking ahead, Zac hopes to plan an adaptive fashion show at Greeley’s annual Unity Day.

The aspiring business major has also launched an online marketplace selling mobility aids, home essentials, and personal care items to improve the daily lives of people with disabilities. Profits from the marketplace will go to Runway of Dreams. “I got involved because I enjoy making a difference in my community, and Runway of Dreams is literally changing lives,” Zac said.

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: Fashion show, greeley student volunteers, helping kids with disabilities, inspiration, Runway of Dreams Foundation, Zac Klein

Survivors Walk the Runway to Fight Ovarian Cancer

June 14, 2024 by Velia La Garda

Kattia holding hands with her daughter Paloma.

Over $400K Raised for the Tina Brozman Foundation for Ovarian Cancer Research at the third annual Tina’s Wish Runway for Research

On a beautiful spring night in New York City, at the 18th Street Altman building, over 400 supporters came together to witness a unique fashion show empowering women fighting ovarian cancer.

The event on behalf of the Tina Brozman Foundation for Ovarian Cancer raised more than $400,000 to fund research for early detection of ovarian cancer.

Kattia Solano Sabatino who walked the runway with her ten-year-old daughter, Paloma, said, “I was one of those naive women who thought a pap smear would detect ovarian cancer, but as we know, that’s not the case at all. It wasn’t until I happened to have a sonogram that they discovered it at Stage 3.” 

Two-time Grammy nominated violinist and composer Jannina Norpoth was another of the 20 survivors who walked the runway.

Jannina and her mom

She said, “I feel very loved. My husband and my mom are here and we shared an experience with other models that is really life changing hearing each other’s stories of survival.” 

Norpoth shares her journey of recovery with her mother who is a uterine cancer survivor and was originally diagnosed in 2002.

Unlike cervical cancer there is no early detection test for ovarian cancer. It remains the fifth leading cause of cancer death among women in the U.S. Tina’s Wish is a national not-for-profit dedicated to funding cutting-edge research for the early detection and prevention of ovarian cancer and providing education and awareness about gynecologic health.

Since 2008, Tina’s Wish has raised more than $24 million. The Foundation now funds $2.4 million of scientific research annually to develop innovative prevention and diagnostic strategies.

For more info, please visit:  https://tinaswish.org/ 

 

 

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: Fashion show, Ovarian Cancer, Tinas Wish

True Beauty at Fundraising Event for Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital

December 6, 2019 by Sabra Staudenmaier

Cheryl Lynch with the singers from One Voice who preformed at the event. Photo by Susan Balsam

 

Champagne, hors d’oeuvres, flowing gowns and all things beautiful set the scene at the Tamarack Country Club in Greenwich, CT on Saturday November 30th. Every detail was attended to at the highly anticipated 20th annual fundraiser to support the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital Children’s Cancer Fund (CCF). Beauty was the unofficial theme of the night: dazzling people, décor and music filled the venue.

CCF Fashion Show Photo by Susan Balsam

Cheryl Lynch, owner of Cherylyn Salon in Armonk, is known for providing luxury spa and beauty services. Her salon has won many accolades. As evident in the décor of her business and the quality of aesthetic services she provides, she is truly an expert on what is visually appealing. But Lynch’s concept extends far beyond what the eye can see. Through the passion and dedication of her philanthropic work she personifies what it means to radiate beauty both inside and out.

Over 320 people joined Lynch, and her husband and co-host Jeff, to support the CCF’s dedication to raising awareness for Pediatric Cancer and Blood Diseases. Funds raised went to support patients and their families and research programs at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, located in Valhalla and a member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network.

Drinks flowed throughout the cocktail hour as guests casually mingled. When the doors to the main dining room opened, patrons were delighted by a heartwarming performance by the talented young singers from the music group One Voice. Channel 12 news correspondent Annalisa Klebers emceed the event.

Subdued elegance gave way to an upbeat vibe. The partakers “let their hair down” as a lively fashion show entertained the crowd; clothes were provided by area boutiques. Sequins, taffeta and silk filled the room. The evening was a culmination of style, community and purpose. Every detail was flawlessly planned and executed, including both live and silent auctions and a dessert buffet complete with cookies shaped like dresses and shoes.

Lynch brings the same passion to this cause as she does to her salon. She advises to “never give up…each penny makes a difference and every prayer is appreciated”. Lynch’s actions remind us that true beauty radiates from the inside.

The kindness and generosity of the evening proved to be contagious when Michael Fareri, whose family built the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, made a surprise donation of $30,000 which covered the cost of the event’s dinner thereby vastly increasing the funds donated to the CCF.

For more information on CCF of Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital: www.thechildrenscancerfund.org

For more information on Cherylyn Salon: www.cherylynsalon.com

Sabra Staudenmaier resides in Chappaqua and is a frequent contributor to Inside Press publications. 

Filed Under: Holidays with our Sponsors Tagged With: beauty, Cherylyn Salon, Fashion show, fundraiser, gala, Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, Pediatric Cancer, The Childrens Cancer Fund, ua

Kids’ Kloset Fashion Show Gala: A Fun-Filled Evening of Glamour Filled with Generosity

April 18, 2019 by Stacey Pfeffer

Models Sam Berk, Olivia Berk, Marissa Senzon and Kayla Roth

There they were sashaying down the red carpet clad runway–a nattily dressed toddler strutting his stuff in a stylish sweater, a tween decked out in a tulle skirt with on trend sunglasses. A DJ played the latest hits as these mini models advanced on the catwalk while Lindsay Brooke Weiss from Coco in Cashmere, an Armonk stylist and fashion blogger gave quick bios of the models.

Only this fashion show held last month in Harrison at the Willow Ridge Country Club had a higher purpose than just showcasing the latest spring styles for kids. All of the 80+ child models representing towns from across the county were donating their clothing immediately after the show to Kids’ Kloset, a nonprofit that provides under-served Westchester County children with donated clothing and related items.

Since Kids’ Kloset was created in 2011, the volunteer run organization has provided more than 17,000 “Bags of Love” containing clothing, footwear, diapers and other baby essentials to local children. Formerly under the auspices of Westchester Jewish Community Services, Kids’ Kloset recently became a division of (914) Cares and opened up new headquarters in North White Plains this past fall. Michael Slomsky, a Vice Chairman of (914) Cares and Chappaqua resident whose daughter Megan was in the show, said the new North White Plains spot is an ideal location with ample space to showcase the clothing with low overhead.

Top Left (L-R): Jessica Reinmann Founder (914) Cares, Diane Katz (honoree) and Stephanie Roth Founder Kids’ Kloset. Top Right (L-R): Nathalie Joseph, Viola Regis and Tamar Joseph. Middle: Lindsay Brooke Weiss with her children, Colette and Steele Weiss. Bottom Left: Models Marley Gellert and Caitlin Samkoff. PHOTO BY LAUREN GELLERT Bottom Right: Models Emery Zipper, Emily Attar, Abigail Pfeffer. PhotoS BY Jamie Kaplan
except where noted

Although Kids’ Kloset has held fashion shows in previous years, this year’s event was the largest turn out to date, according to Jessica Reinmann, chairperson of (914) Cares and a resident of Chappaqua. “I really think the partnership between (914) Cares and Kids’ Kloset is what made this year’s event such a success,” said Reinmann. The event raised more than $100K as of press time and Reinmann hopes that next year’s event will have attendees from every zip code of Westchester.

The event honored Diane Katz, a longtime Kids’ Kloset supporter and White Plains resident. During the show, attendees also learned of the dire need for essentials that some 51,000 families in Westchester face with annual incomes of less than $24,000. An attendee from Armonk, Michele Zipper was happy to have her daughter, Emery participate as a model in the show. “It’s great that she can do something with fashion that helps others,” said Zipper.

Viola Regis, a Mount Vernon resident was an attendee and her daughters, Lily and Izzy, who also graced the runway have been the recipient of Kids’ Kloset’s “Bags of Love”. She donated $100 to the organization at the gala as a way to show her appreciation for Kids’ Kloset. For several summers, her daughters have attended sleep away camps on scholarships and Kids’ Kloset has outfitted them for the experience. One attendee remarked that many children who receive camp scholarships actually turn them down because the families can’t afford the many camp essentials. “My children always have a smile on their face when they go to Kids’ Kloset and I know they help not just my family but so many others,” said Regis.

Kids’ Kloset founder Stephanie Roth was also excited at the gala to announce the launch of a “Baby Bank” this spring which will provide not only essentials like supplies of diapers for six months but also other items such as pack and plays. This “Baby Bank” and the evening’s gala illustrates just how much progress the organization has made since Roth decided to start the organization after a young mom in her community who couldn’t afford a stroller showed up at Roth’s doorstep a decade ago.

For more information about Kids’ Kloset, visit 914cares.org.

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: 914 Cares, Bags of Love, Diane Katz, Fashion show, Jessica Reinmann, kids, Kids Kloset, Models

Fashion Funds the Cure

March 8, 2019 by The Inside Press

PHOTOS BY RICK MAUPIN

The National Pediatric Cancer Foundation (NPCF) will be holding their inaugural event Fashion Funds the Cure at The Westchester on Saturday, March 23. The Fashion Funds the Cure events started 16 years ago in Tampa at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Raymond James Stadium. This year, they plan on having at least 13 shows across the country. The event at The Westchester will feature a fashion show, food, cocktail reception and a silent auction. The NPCF funds clinical trials by collaborating with a network of hospitals including The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore to fast-track less toxic and more targeted treatments to end childhood cancer. With 43 children diagnosed with cancer per day and more than 95 percent of those who survive childhood cancer having a significant health issue by the time they are 45 as a result of being treated with drugs designed for adults, NPCF hopes to discover safer and more effective treatments for children with cancer. To learn more about the event or to purchase tickets, visit NationalPCF.org.

Filed Under: Happenings Tagged With: childhood cancer, Fashion show, fundraising, National Pediatric Cancer Center Foundation

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