Fashion Fight for a Cure hosted by DePasquale
1The 2nd Annual Fashion Fight for a Cure — a fashion show extravaganza hosted by DePasquale, The Spa — raised $90,000 for Cancer Care at Saint Clare's October 2.
More than 400 supporters came to the Hanover Marriott to see five runway shows presented by DePasquale hair stylists and beauty experts, who worked on the benefit as volunteers.
"This is just an outstanding event for us," said Les Hirsch, president and CEO at Saint Clare's Health System. "I'm awestruck to see all the people here today. We couldn't do it without all of you, especially with the challenges in medical care today."
He noted that last year Fashion Fight for a Cure raised $60,000.
Judges awarded best of show to Team Whimsy, featuring fanciful retro Barbie looks, including made-from-real-hair hair accessories. Each model on the team, including Miss New Jersey Teen USA Savannah Schechter, emerged from a pink, human-sized doll box.
Also presenting shows with different themes were Team Europa, Team Explosive Youth, Team Millennium, and I Do Do.
"There are no losers here today," said Justin DePasquale, co-owner and director of the DePasquale spa and salon in Morris Plains, and creator of the event. "Everyone involved is helping bring attention to cancer and raise money for Saint Clare's."
DePasquale had lots of people to thank. In addition to the work of the stylists and beauty experts, the 2nd Annual Fashion Fight for a Cure drew 18 sponsors. Money was raised in other ways, large and small, ranging from pink hair extensions for a $10 donation to a 50/50 raffle with a winning pot of $10,000 and a mink stole auction.
Even salon employees who didn't work on a runway show participated, according to DePasquale. Behind the scenes, employees were responsible for stuffing swag bags, creating signage, and working the reception tables as well as the model room.
Others in the crowd of supporters, who each bought a $75 ticket, included Assemblyman Alex DeCroce and Gail Solomon of Convent Station.
"It's a fantastic cause," Solomon said. "Breast cancer used to be a definite killer. Now, because of research, it's curable, and they all should be."
The event was created in honor of Dr. David DePasquale, a doctor at Saint Clare's who succumbed to a rare sarcoma almost two years ago at age 42. The doctor, whose family attended the event, was a cousin of Justin DePasquale.
The second annual event also paid tribute to Tatyana Petrushkevich of Wharton, an aesthetician at DePasquale's for the past 15 years who died of colon and breast cancers this past March at age 50.
Petrushkevich was an only child who emigrated from Estonia by herself in 1991 in search of a better life, according to Vicky Hart, a salon client who spoke at Fashion Fight for a Cure about the cancer journey of the manicurist and skin specialist. The two women grew so close that Hart helped Petrushkevich throughout her entire illness, along with other DePasquale clients and employees.
"I thank Tatyana for the gift of being able to help her," said a tearful Hart.
Erica Citarelli of Morris Plains, a DePasquale employee and event volunteer, remembered Petrushkevich.
"She was ill for three years and came to work every day, even after chemotherapy. She fought to the end," said Citarelli, recalling one Sunday when the salon opened and offered discounted services to clients. The event raised $20,000 to help pay Petrushkevich's medical bills.
DePasquale pointed out the giving involved in staging Fashion for a Cure is not unusual for the beauty industry.
"We make people feel beautiful every day," he said. "By doing that, people become so giving. Beauty can cure. That's the biggest theme here."
Guest judges for the event were: Alisa Maria, CEO of Celebrity Stylist; Judi Rothenberg, lifestyle and travel editor of NJ Savvy Living; Stephen Marinaro, The Salon Guy; Grace Gold, beauty expert and writer; Maggie Mulhern, beauty and fashion director of Modern Salon Media; and Lorraine Ash, staff writer at the Daily Record.
For 2012, DePasquale will be the official salon for Miss New Jersey USA and Miss New Jersey Teen USA.
Article provided by:
Lorraine Ash: 973-428-6660; lash@njpressmedia.com
dailyrecord.com/article/20111008/NJNEWS/310080006/Fashion-show-ra
thesalonguy.com