“Beyond Labels” Brunch & Fashion Show, Pomegranate Place :: 06.14.10

Pomegranate Place is a non-profit housed in a 3-story Victorian located in Capitol Hill. Pom Place was created to provide a space for women to come as they are + to connect and create with other women who are doing the same. In late Spring I met with Vaun Swanson, the Founder and Executive Director of Pomegranate Place, to brain storm about ways to create awareness about the Org and how to raise funds. A bit after we were talking it hit me– a fashion show/brunch! With my connections in photography and modeling, I offered to recruit designers and models for the first fundraiser for Pom Place. My tea with Vaun was lovely as I was overflowing with ideas about how our fashion show could be about expanding our perceptions about beauty and creating a space where women can talk openly about their definitions of beauty. Since a label can never adequately define a woman, we voted to name the event, “Beyond Labels”.

I invited professional model and friend Veronica Stapleton to co-coordinate the fashion show with me while graphic designers Astrid Koch of Astrid Designs and Janae Aasen of White Couch, came up with the branding and design of the brunch and show. Professional chef, Leah Thompson, stepped up to oversee all the food preparation and service, and Meredith Bishop, an Accenture Executive, coordinated all the volunteers. There were 4 Designers featured at the Beyond Labels Fashion Show: Designer Lauri Moore featuring her hand made skirts and vests shown on models Michanda, Colby, & Tina, Designer Jessica Deugan featuring Pom Chic clothing and accessories from area Thrift stores on models Meredith, ZZ, & Melissa, Designer Carol Mier featuring her unique line of clothing on models Melissa, Aja, & Linda, and Designer, Artist & Writer Jennifer Levine featured her poetry through body paint paired with exotic hairstyles by Linda on models Lori, Veronica, & Rachael. In all, over 50 women contributed to the event, raising over $4000.

It was such a delightful Saturday morning. Amazing food, lovely music + a live auction in the warm ambiance and open environment of Pom Place made this event a smash hit. Check out a few of the images from the show provided by photographers Lynn Townsend of Illumine Photography and Amy Wright of Amy K. Wright Photography + an image or two provided by Designer, Artist and Writer Jennifer Levine.

Model and Artist Colby Creed doing her hair and make-up before the show.

Pomegranate Place is located at 750 Clarkson St. in Denver.

Professional Models Lori Auguste Sullivan (above) and Rachael Brink (below) got up early on that Saturday morning to have their faces and bodies covered in paint by Artist and Designer Jennifer Levine!

The Little Girl below opened the Show by throwing out pieces of paper from her flower basket as she walked through each floor of the 3 Story Victorian. Each piece of paper contained inspiring & beautiful adjectives that created a path that was our runway for the show.

Left to Right: Graphic Designers and Co-Coordinators for the Beyond Labels Brunch Janae Aasen and Astrid Koch.

Instead of a traditional fashion show, we decided to have an Informal Fashion show where models followed the intention path through the many rooms of the 3 story Victorian. Each room was hosted by a group. At the end of the show, the women in the rooms were able to talk openly with the models and designers about their perceptions of beauty. Conversations were inspiring and emotional.

Professional Model and Co-Coordinator of the first Beyond Labels Fashion Show, Ms. Veronica Stapleton. Veronica plans to save the world through modeling.

Left to Right: Model Michanda Lindsay, Professional Model Tina Ryan, Designer Laurie Moore, and Model and Artist Colby Creed.

From Left to Right: Actress ZZ Moor, Designer Jessica Deugan, Professional Model Meredith Karre, and Actress Melissa Scher.

From Left to Right: Designer Carol Mier, Model Melissa Fox, Model and Stylist Linda, Model for Carol Mier, and Professional Model Aja Duniven.

And the Finale! From Left to Right: Stylist Linda, Professional Model and Co-Coordinator of the show Veronica Stapleton, Professional Model Lori Auguste Sullivan, Founder and Executive Driector of Pomegranate Place Vaun Swanson, Professional Model Rachael Brink and Designer, Artist, and Writer Jennifer Levine.

Pomegranate Place is a wonderful place to relax, get connected and to create. You can sign up for their newsletter featuring inspiring messages and women by clicking here.

Many thanks to all the woman who contributed their time and talent to the Event. It was a great success!

We hope to see you next year!

oxo

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