Steps to the Cure: Selena's Survival Story

Breast cancer survivors flank designer
Afua Sam (green) at previous year'sshow.

A girl I used to know from high school used to have this saying: fashion over function.

What she meant is that if an item of clothing looks good, then wear it! No pain, no gain!

I thought of this saying when I recently learned about Steps to the Cure, an amazingly altruistic function with fashion as its center piece.

 Started by Maryland-based plastic surgeon Dr. Larry Lickstein and his wife, Lori, Steps to the Cure is a runway event featuring models who are all breast cancer survivors. They have went through the pain, and now they have everything to gain.

A survivor struts her stuff down the catwalk.

Local fashion designers and fine jewelry merchants also donate their time and couture to help ensure that the models look stunning as they glide down the catwalk.

"This event aims at raising funds to support research towards breast cancer," says Afua Sam of Studio D'Maxsi. She is participating in the event as a designer. 

At a recent visit to Sam's home studio, I caught up with the charming and effervescent 'Cure' model Selena Quintanilla. Diagnosed at just 28 years old, she is now in remission from stage 3 breast cancer after two years of chemotherapy treatment.

Her name may be the same as the legendary Spanish language pop star, but the Selena Quintanilla I met in Silver Spring, Md. has a triumphant ending to her tragic tale.

Selena and Afua strike a pose next to the "BRA" dress.

Off camera, the 30-year-old survivor lifted up her shirt and showed me her scars after having a double mastectomy, followed by full reconstructive surgery.

"I'm fine with it," said Selena. She told me it was actually harder for her to lose her hair (which used to be long), than it was for her to lose her breasts.

I was truly touched after meeting her and hearing her story. I know that she is here do to some great things in this world, and I really feel that it was a gift to have met her.


And this is her gift to you: As stated in the video above, the doctors told Selena that she did not have cancer the first time she went to check a lump in her breast. It was only after she went back a year later with the same lump that she was diagnosed. Now she's sharing her story in hopes that others will get checked and rechecked and checked again, if they feel like something is wrong in their bodies.

If you would like to see Selena walk down the runway at Steps to the Cure, then get mark your calendar for April 16 at Valley Mansion in Baltimore. Click here for more details.

xoxo,

Markette 

Let's Connect!

    

P.S. - Check out this video from the other Selena Quintanilla, dedicated to all of you survivors out there!

DC FASHION WEEK: Behind The Scenes and The Red Carpet

DC ON HEELS IS READY FOR SOME FASHION!

About DC Fashion Week: DC Fashion Week is considered one of the fastest growing international fashion week exhibits in the world and is held twice a year in February and September. 

DC Fashion Week now reaches an audience of more than 10 million per fashion week. “DC Fashion Week has opened many doors for models, designers and creative people,” said  Ean Williams,  Executive Director of DC Fashion Week. (Who is also a designer.)  “Fresh from my collection debut European appearance at Fashion Showcase in Belgrade in June, our mission to establish Washington as an international center of fashion is becoming more of a reality than just a vision.”

 


I went behind the scenes last year at the French Embassy where one of the fashion shows took place and spoke with Ean about DC Fashion. Take a peek at my interviews  with all of the models, designers, hair and make-up artists too! So much  goes  into producing such a beautiful seamless fashion show. So take a look at what really goes down, hours before the show!  

 Click HERE

In part 2 of our DC Fashion Week coverage Markette hits the red carpet at the French Embassy and interviews local designers and more.  

Click HERE

Watch us today on TBD live at 4:30 with Morris Jones for our new weekly entertainment segment. We will be talking about DC Fashion Week and lots more!  Let us know what you think we should talk about next week. FACEBOOK us your suggestions! 

Besos xoxoxoxo

Vanessa

Exclusive launch party for Fashion Delegate

FD Launch Party held at Redskin's running back house:

We had so much fun at the Fashion Delegate launch party held right in the back yard of Redskins running back Clinton Portis. FD is a blog that infuses fashion and politics, drawing and extraordinary crowd of fashion lovers and politicos alike. FD will be highlighting the best fashion the beltway has to offer.

Check out the pics...

Outside Redskin CP's house where the event was held

DC on Heels+Glamazon+ANTM Bianca+designer Tashia+models=F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S

Interviewing fashion delegate bloggers and party hosts' Jennifer Fisher and Portia Hood

Jennifer flanked by some fashionable men on the scene

Hot dress from designer Tashia Senn modeled by Bianca from ANTM cycle 13

More hot fashion

Our favorite gal to "BS" around with Elaine Mensah

V&M with gorgeous gal KstreetKate

Portia's hot heels..and we love our heels!!

M&V with the southern belle of the ball

DC on Heels staying fierce

The scene

The award for hottest and most fashionable couple goes to this duo

Designer Tashia Senn and model Bianca(lime green dress) from ANTM cycle 13

M&V with the hot "Glamazon" Makeda

Floral's and bright colors were the theme

Power couple Dino and Rachael Tapper of Floriana's

Pretty in purple Melissa Rich

For more photos visit our FACEBOOK PAGE (Video coming soon) So stay tuned... only here on dc50tv.com home of the CW!!!

Fashion For Hope 2009

TTS attended the must see event for all fashionistas and humanitarians alike!!

WHAT: FASHION FOR HOPE 2009
WHEN: Sunday October 18, 2009
WHERE: The Grand Westin - 2350 M Street Washington, D.C.

Women for Women International and Inner Expressions came together for a must-see runway event that showcased fashions by local designers. These designers highlighted there skills and creativity on the catwalk-- and all for a good cause. Women for Women International mobilizes women to change their lives; many whom have lost everything in conflict or live in war- torn, poverty stricken regions. WFWI helps turn these women from victims to survivors. All proceeds from this event helped support the organizations projects and programs. Check out the models designers and participants of the event!

P.S. - Subscribe to THE TRAVELING TALK SHOW to be the FIRST to see highlights from the A-List events we cover.