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Fashion Cares, the AIDS fundraiser
started by Toronto’s fashion and arts community in 1987, is holding its last
event September 9. The fundraiser typically brought together celebrities, a
fashion show, and an after-party with several thousand people.
Elton John will headline the last
gathering, which will be held at the Sony Center and also feature performances
by the band Scissors Sisters, Janelle Monae, and Sky Ferreira. Linda
Evangelista and designer twins Dean and Dan Caten of DSquared will be the
evening’s hosts. Longtime sponsor M.A.C. will have a retrospective from its
archives for the fashion show.
“The day of the mega-fundraiser is
fading,” said Michael King, co-chair of Fashion Cares. “I think this is a
natural milestone to end on.” “I’m sure the event will live on in a different
guise but a giant spectacle with 3,000 people sitting down for dinner seems
passé,” he said.
“It’s a different time and we have
to find new ways of raising awareness of HIV and AIDS,” including finding new
community partners, said Hazelle Palmer, executive director for the AIDS
Committee of Toronto (ACT). Current ACT fundraisers tend to focus on smaller
events like the annual AIDS Walk and SNAP, a photography auction.
Fashion Cares has been on hiatus
since 2008 and Palmer said ACT has not decided what kind of fundraiser will
replace it. “Obviously AIDS is still a huge issue and we want to continue to
get that message out,” said Palmer.
“I can’t tell you what Elton will do
for the final act but I’ll say this final edition will be remembered for a long
time,” promised King.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
