Originally seen on The Denver Post
By JOANNE DAVIDSON | partiwriter@hotmail.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
If anyone wondered how the Children’s Diabetes Foundation was able to snag a fashion designer as famous as Marc Bouwer to show his special occasion clothing at the 2017 Brass Ring Luncheon, here’s why:
Photo Steve Peterson
He has been friends with executive director Dana Davis since 2011, when she designed shoes that would compliment the wedding gown he had created for a mutual friend. And, his business partner, Paul Margolin, who accompanied Bouwer to Denver, has Type 1 diabetes.
Chaired by Shelley Lucas, Judy McNeil and Lyn Schaffer, this fundraiser for the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes and The Guild of the Children’s Diabetes Foundation brought 700 people to the Marriott City Center on March 24 for a luncheon, auction and show that ended with a standing ovation and lots of positive chatter.
“I can’t remember the last time I saw a show as fabulous as this,” marveled Judith Ann Newman, a former model who has had plenty of experience chairing benefits for Denver-area charities. Newman and her friend, Mary Byron, were guests at a table hosted by hotel manager Bill Ninivaggi and his wife, Karla.
“The clothes were stunning,” agreed Angel sponsor Margot Gilbert Frank. “And there was so much energy in the room. This will be a hard show to top.”
Photo Steve Peterson
Bouwer, who is based in New York and apprenticed with the iconic designer Halston, can count such celebrities as Oprah Winfrey, Beyoncé, Angelina Jolie, Lisa Rinna and the late Whitney Houston as clients. His designs have also graced the covers of magazines like Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair, Cosmopolitan and InStyle.
The luncheon also included a tribute to Susie Hummell that commemorated the 20 years she has spent coordinating activities for The Guild of the Children’s Diabetes Foundation.
Hummell’s grandson, Josh Schmitz of Ruckus Apparel, has long served as the fashion show producer and stylist.
“You’ve been a role model and mentor,” remarked Judy McNeil, who in addition to co-chairing this year’s Brass Ring Luncheon served as president of The Guild in 2011 and chaired, with husband Charlie, the 2013 Carousel Ball, also a fundraiser for the Barbara Davis Center. “You’re all heart, and there never will be another one like you.”
The Barbara Davis Center was started by Dana Davis’ parents, Barbara and the late Marvin Davis, some 40 years ago, after Dana was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. It is now considered one of the world’s foremost research and treatment centers, serving some 6,500 patients annually.
Up to 35 percent of whom are uninsured or under-insured, which makes income generated from events like the Brass Ring Luncheon especially important. The average cost of diabetes care is $800 a month, an amount that can easily double if the child’s blood sugar levels are regulated with an insulin pump.
Guild president Christy Alberts is a Type-1 diabetic and patient at the Barbara Davis Center. She underscored the fact that a cure is yet to be found, which makes the funding of research, which can cost up to $1,000 per hour, critical since diabetes is reaching epidemic proportions. Those living with it have to remain vigilant when it comes to diet and exercise. “It’s not easy thinking like a pancreas,” Alberts noted.
Photo Steve Peterson
Those helping to support this worthy cause included Diane Smethills, whose son, Ross, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was 3; Quinn Washington with Pat and Annabel Bowlen’s daughter, Annabel “Little Bel” Bowlen, and her fiancé, Charles Mains; Sharon Magness Blake; Andrea Fey with her two “Type-1derful” daughters, Hannah and Emma; Tom and Lisa Corley; Brad and Tangy Buchanan; Kathy and Dr. James Crapo; Chris Foster and her daughter-in-law, Katy; Nancy Cowee; Wendy Glazer; and Deidre Hunter with her mom, Wendy Milliman.
Barb Oberfeld, president-elect of The Guild, was there with hubby Neil, an attorney at GreenbergTraurig, joining a group that also included Lori Finch, who will chair Brass Ring 2018; Essie Perlmutter; Carol Karsh; Debi Tepper; Cindi Burge; Sarah Sena; Beverlee Henry; Sharon Whiton Gel;, Gail Johnson; Buzz and Diane Sweat with daughter Katie Grassby; former Colorado first lady Frances Owens; Pamela Helm; Deana Perlmutter; Angela Lieurance; Kimi Porterfield Brown; Ellen Robinson and Trish Morris, director of the Courageous Faces Foundation, with such friends as Hilary Wetmore Bordelon, community and special events manager at the Kendra Scott boutique in Cherry Creek North, Carla McElroy, owner of Carla’s, A Classic Design, and Debbie La Brant-Hartung, founder of LipBar Custom Cosmetics.
Photo Steve Peterson
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314, partiwriter@hotmail.com and @joannedavidson on Twitter
