Fashion and compassionStars come out to raise money for HIV/AIDS
By Kathy Williamson
Santa Monica, CA - The 27th Annual Macy's and American Express Passport, where Fashion + Compassion Come Together, celebrated the common goal of raising crucial funds and awareness for HIV/AIDS organizations which a fashion show on Sept. 24 that incorporated various genres.
Featured designers at the Barker Hanger in Santa Monica included Rachel Roy, Calvin Klein, Hugo Boss and Levi's; and a visit to Venice, Italy via a live performance by opera singer Melody Moore. The show welcomed stars from the worlds of music and fashion. They included celebrity choreographer Brian Friedman; Indie bands, A Fine Frenzy (from Los Angeles); A Fine Frenzy; Zion 1 with K. Flay (hip hop group); DJ Rashida; Bria Murphy (model, daughter of Eddie and Nicole Murphy); and the Harajuku Girls. The appearances by Sharon Stone and Dame Elizabeth Taylor brought several standing ovations from the audience.
Many of the celebrities were moved to donate $500 to $5,000 including LaToya Jackson; Davy Jones (The Monkees); designer Rachel Roy; Alex Meneses (Everybody Loves Raymond); Eva LaRue (CSI Miami); Cody Longo (FAME); Josie Lauren and Cassie Scerbo (Make It or Break It); and Nichole Hiltz (In Plain Sight). Sharon's "teams" raised almost $75,000.
Dame Elizabeth Taylor asked everyone in attendance to join her in the fight against the wide-reaching and deadly disease. "As my beloved friend Michael (Jackson) said 'We are the world,' and it is up to us - it is our responsibility to take care of those who are sick and dying," which was greeted with cheers from the audience.
Macy’s Passport achieved their goal once again and will be donating over $1 million to a variety of HIV/AIDS organizations.
- Wireimage photo - Nichole Murphy and daughters.