The Mizzou Black Men’s Initiative hosted the “Model P!nk: Fashion for Ellis Fischel” event Thursday night at the Hampton Inn Suites.
The event’s purpose was to raise awareness for breast cancer through fashion and spoken word.
A disc jockey kept the audience at attention with pulsing beats, ranging from Rihanna to Kanye West.
The event opened with a poem by Naomi Daugherty, stating, “Our lady lives.” Daughtery said the poem was inspired by personal contact she had with a breast cancer survivor.
Alexis Rogers and Curtis Taylor Jr. were the MCs for the night, kicking off the evening with a question: “What does breast cancer mean to you?”
“Breast cancer is something that affects us directly and indirectly,” Taylor said.
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer that women may face in their lifetime (after skin cancer), according to the American Cancer Society. It can occur at any age, but the risk goes up as you get older.
MU students as well as breast cancer survivors attended the event. VIP guests sat in the front row, where they were given pink gift bags. To keep up with the pink theme, pink lemonade was served, matching the overall event.
In addition to models wearing their own clothing, local District boutiques such as Blackberry Exchange, Elly’s Couture and Swank Boutique fashions were seen on models.
All proceeds from the event go to the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center.
“Ellis Fischel Cancer Center is dedicated to helping survivors live their lives to the fullest after breast cancer treatment,” stated a flier for the center.
After a couple technical difficulties, hosts Rogers and Taylor called for audience members to strut on the runway in an impromptu “catwalk contest.”
MU theater professor Heather Carver told her personal story of her fight with breast cancer by writing plays. She performed the poem “Lucky” from her original play “Boobie Trap.”
“I got the people, I got the care, and I got a lot of support,” Carver said.
Breast cancer survivors walked the runway to a standing ovation. The audience cheered as several ”warriors” walked as the DJ played Alicia Keys’ “Girl on Fire.”
“Events like this bring awareness to campus,” said Kristen Fritschie, an Ellis Fishel Cancer Center representative.
Fritschie also said events such as the fashion show will encourage students on campus who know older women to get a mammogram, or just become more aware of breast cancer entirely.
“Every 72 seconds a woman dies of breast cancer,” she said.