To Celebrate Life Breast Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit that offers grants to organizations providing support programs, early detection screening, and emotional and educational services for women and men with breast health issues, is once again holding its signature fundraiser “Stepping Out to Celebrate Life.” The September 26th evening gala and fashion show at the Marin Center in San Rafael presents models, all breast cancer survivors, who will be showcasing wearable art on a 75-foot runway. Many of the designers, like Sausalito-based Holly Badgley, have close friends who have had the disease and are using the fundraiser as a way to give back to the community. The first look at the fashions won’t be available until it hits the runway, but the following images offer a look into the seven featured Marin designers’ individual aesthetics. For tickets, call 415.455.5882 or go to
tocelebratelife.org.
• Catherine Bacon From her Novato studio, Catherine Bacon creates day and evening wear in textural fabrics infused with motifs that represent nature and ancient cultures. catherinebacon.com
• Michelle Ciel Noting a lack of colorful purses on the market, Michelle Ciel launched her own handbag company. The Mill Valley designer says she loves the infusion of vibrant color and unexpected textures. michelleciel.com
• Holly Badgley Sausalito-based textile artist Holly Badgley creates hand-painted clothing using dyes she thickens to transfer rich colors into wool, silk and velvet. She then silk-screens her creations with ethnic designs to produce one-of-a-kind coats, tops and vests. hollybadgley.com
• Danielle Schubert, Mill Valley Hat Box Schubert’s résumé includes some of the best fashion schools in the United States and Florence as well as studying under her late mother, a well-known milliner. The local designer travels throughout Europe selecting fabrics for her creations, which are then produced in Germany to her exact specifications. millvalleyhatbox.com
• Nasimiyu Wekesa, Nasimiyu Designs The Mill Valley designer creates bold, one-of-a-kind, beaded jewelry based on the rich culture and history of her native Kenya. Her complex pieces include African trade beads, shells, glass and bronze and have been featured on New York runways. nasimiyudesigns.com
• Yuri Schiller and Svetlana Trumm, Picky Studio The Russian-born designers, who now live in Marin, use photographic images they then print on fabric, which creates cutting-edge design. pickystudio.com
• Jill Giordano and Brian Scheyer, gr.dano The Sausalito design duo develop modern takes on classic pieces with an emphasis on attention to detail. grdano.com
