Before the curtains rose at the 15th Annual Nite of Hope gala, the women in charge of the fashion show have been busily preparing for this soiree for months.
On the night, backstage is a bevy of activity. Longtime model and local teacher, Nancy Kisby, is getting a quick hair spray before being ushered onto the stage. Within seconds of exiting the stage, Kisby, 61, is already disrobing and getting ready for her next outfit change.
"I was a dresser when I first started volunteering, but I really wanted to model," said Kisby. "So, I told Judi to put me on stage. I love getting dressed up and getting my make up and hair done."
Kisby has been at the theatre since 4 p.m., making sure she knew where her four outfits were and to get her make-up applied.
"We had two rehearsals a few weeks before the show and then a 30-minute one before the show," said Kisby.
Backstage, dressers are busily zipping and unzipping, buttoning and unbuttoning, rolling up sleeves and fussing over the 20 models until they are runway ready.
"It's an honour to be part of an event that is so important to our community," added Kisby. "It's a highlight of my year to be involved in Nite of Hope."
Glenda Harrison Mason, owner of Salon Diva, agrees with Kisby.
For the last eight years, Mason has been styling the models' hair.
"Many of our clients have beaten breast cancer or are fighting it right now," said Mason. "This is our way to give back to the community."
Mason and her team of five employees close the salon and give up a full day's pay in order to take part in the Nite of Hope.
By 9 a.m., some of the models are in the salon getting their hair done. By 4 p.m., with brushes and scissors in tow, the styling team heads to the River Rock Casino Resort.
"We conduct research ahead of time to make sure we give the models new, hip hairstyles," she said. "Backstage is so much fun; it's crazy chaos, it's busy, but we feed off the adrenaline high."
Meanwhile, Bare Basics Lingerie has been part of Nite of Hope since its inception. Owner Sandy Hosein gave up the reins to her daughter, Nicole Stoltz, six years ago.
"Because we deal with mastectomy patients, it's not only giving back to the community but to our clients as well," said Stoltz, adding she also sits on the event's executive committee. "It's such an amazing cause."
By 2 p.m. on the day of the gala, Stoltz and five Bare Basic employees gather European bra and panty sets, all of which have been tagged with a model's name, in anticipation of the big night.
"The night before I was up until 3 a.m., wrapping the sponsors' gifts and finishing up gluing glitter on the cardboard angel wings the lingerie models wore," she said.
In addition, hundreds of hours went into making the rainbow tutus and costumes for the six models' five costume changes.
"I love taking part in this event and I have a very patient husband who doesn't mind that the house is filled with glitter for months afterwards," Stoltz quipped.
"In seriousness, Judi makes it so easy to want to volunteer because her heart is in the right place."
Another Judi Miller fan is Aldila Boutique owner, Elif Costello. She came on board six years ago, taking over for Flamingo Row, who put on the show for nine years.
For Costello, it is also very personal. "My best friend Christina (Antich) was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer at 31," said Costello.
"Christina is doing better and looking great. Knowing that, in some small way, I contribute to help raise funds for breast cancer research is such a privilege."
For months prior to the event, Costello approaches her suppliers and together with a small, dedicated band of volunteers, spends weeks putting together 64 outfits for the local models, ranging in age from 18 to 62.
"There are at least five components to each outfit so you can imagine how much time goes into choosing the outfits, then fitting models and then attending two rehearsals prior to the gala," said Costello.
"Everyone, from the committee to the models to my staff, do it willingly and happily because it's such a great cause."
Sadly, Costello told the News that she must bow out after this year.
"It was a very difficult decision to make because I love putting on this fashion show," said Costello. "However, my husband travels often to Montreal on business and I want to be able to travel with him."
Costello isn't walking away completely though. Aldila Boutique will continue supporting Nite of Hope with gift certificates and donations.
In addition, Costello will continue to invite her suppliers to donate to the cause. "I will continue to attend the Nite of Hope because it's an inspiring night filled with laughter, fun and a few tears," she said.
