The music pounding, the glamor on full display, attendees dressed to the nines, and the reason behind the luxurious gathering was truly righteous.
On Sunday, August 26th, Phipps Plaza was transformed into a fashion runway for its 2nd annual “Fashion Statement” fashion show. This event was more than just a display of high fashion, but a fundraiser for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Featuring collections from four designers—Akris, Etro, St. John, and Balmain—the runway event immersed attendees for nearly an hour, with a goal of raising funds for breast cancer research.
Marsha Archer, co-chair of Fashion Statement, reflected on the purpose behind its existence, “This is the second year of Fashion Statement. It was formerly known as Jeffrey Fashion Cares, which went on for almost 20 years. When it ended, we wanted to continue giving back to the community,” Archer said. Joined alongside by a few others who decided to keep the charitable tradition alive, even after the original event’s closure, “Even though the event has gone away, the need for cancer research and to fund it has not gone away,” Archer stated.
The fundraiser set a lofty target of raising $500,000 annually, with plans to diversify the beneficiaries of these funds. “Beginning next year, we’re going to start changing up the beneficiary so that we’ll have the same beneficiary for two years and then we’ll find a new one for the next two and so on,” Archer elaborated. This strategy allows them to broaden their impact and assist various causes.
Before the fashion show began, multiple video testimonies about the foundation and its work were played for participants to hear, highlighting the importance of financial support for breast cancer patients. This included Alicia Robinson, a breast cancer survivor and recipient of Komen’s financial assistance program, who shared her story, emphasizing that financial hardships should not prevent patients from receiving necessary care, ”While medical treatment and care are typically the primary costs associated with the breast cancer diagnosis, there are other expenses of daily living that can keep patients from getting the care they need when they need it,” Robinson said. Following the testimony, auctioneer Dean Crownover stated that a $2,500 gift will provide financial support for five people with breast cancer through this program.
Reflecting on her experience with the previous event, Archer said, “I did Jeffrey Fashion Cares for two years as a co-chair. That event was such a legacy in Atlanta; it kicked off the social season. It was the event that everybody talked about, and it raised a lot of money for organizations in need,” Archer continued. When the pandemic forced Jeffrey Fashion Cares to its end, Archer and her team saw an opportunity to continue the legacy of giving by creating “Fashion Statement.”
Adding to the excitement of the night, the organizers included an auction segment, with the evening’s most anticipated item being a two-night stay in the luxurious Zen Suite at the Nobu Hotel. The audience buzzed with excitement as auctioneer Crownover described the suite, saying, “It’s like having your own apartment, 150,000 square feet big, with everything private, a king-size luxury bed, walk-in closet, and a spacious bathroom featuring a rainfall shower,” Crownover described.
Also auctioned off was, “The Domed Cuff,” designed by Sidney Garber valued at $15,000, and a world travel package for two people, offering destinations like Tuscany, Bali, Thailand, Paris, or Greece. Bids flew fast and furious as attendees vied for these exclusive experiences, with the highest bidders walking away.
Shay Davis, a model and attendee at the event, shared her perspective on the show. “For Atlanta, it was a 10,” she stated enthusiastically, “There’s not a lot of things that are done with quality, but this event was organized, both in the back and front of the house. Everything ran smoothly.”
Planning for “Fashion Statement” is a continuous effort. “It’s a year-round effort,” Archer noted. “We maybe take a week or two off, and then we start planning for the following year. Without the brands, we just couldn’t do it. The brands really bring it to life,” Archer stated, “We’re making a statement through fashion,” Archer continued, “While the fashion is on the runway, everybody comes decorated in their personal style. The most important thing is that we’re raising money for a cause,” Archer said.