Fashion Forward presented by Bank of America, Benefiting Gay Men’s Health Crisis.

Project Runway's Tim Gunn, Master of Ceremonies - image courtesy Getty/bpmw

Last night, November 10, 2008, the Skylight Studios on Hudson St. NY City, proved to be a warm and welcoming haven for more then 700 chilled ‘fashionistas’, friends, supporters and sponsors.

Top Designers Hit the Runway for Fashion Forward, presented by Bank of America, represented by New York President Alan Rappaport.

Launched in the Fall of 2007, Fashion Forward is a high profile event created to salute the fashion industry’s support of the Gay Men’s Health Crisis and the fight against AIDs and HIV.

The six top New York designer’s featured were; Michael Bastian, Betsey Johnson, Ports 1961 by Tia Cibani, Tim Hamilton, Charles Nolan and John Vervatos.  Before enjoying the runway show, we were able to spend time viewing and bidding on the silent auction items, meeting old friends as well as making new ones.

Tim Morehouse, Crystle Stewart, Jason Rogers

U.S.A Olympic Fencing Silver medalists Tim Morehouse and Jason Rogers met the beautiful Crystle Stewart winner of the Miss U.S.A. Pageant, and a supporter of Fashion Forward.  The three decided to play up the whole fashion night and helped each other accessorize.

The crowd of 700 took the time to bid on the wonderful array auction items available, like of course shopping sprees, designer collections, leather briefcases and pocketbooks, vacations, jewelry and even Madonna’s “Sticky & Sweet” Tour Tickets.

Project Runway, Jack Mackenroth Living Positive by Design

I was excited to speak with Jack Mackenroth, who is an incredible inspiration, and outspoken HIV-positive, fashion designer. Not just a cute face, but a cute TV personality from the hit reality show “Project Runway”. Jack has been living with AIDs for 20 years and was eager to share his educational campaign Living Positive by Design, a collaboration with local physicians and several AIDs service organizations helping to combat the stigma associated with AIDs, and to share his positive outlook on life.

The evening was a huge success, bringing in over $225,000.00 for the Gay Men’s Health Crisis, it was a star studded event, but of course the real stars were those who opened their wallets to support HIV and AIDS research.