SWISH SPLASH: Model Mari Agory was 10 years old when she fled South Sudan as a refugee. She made her way to the U.S. and eventually found herself on the runway working for some of the world’s top designers. With her fame as a top model, Agory never forgot the civil war ravaged country she left behind — one that struggles to provide the most basic of needs such as clean water for its citizens. Believing a reliable source of water is the foundation for growth, Treana Peake, a Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»fashion designer and Obakki Foundation founder, invited Agory to participate in the charity’s first ever Walk for Water benefit staged at Holt Renfrew. Agory was joined by fellow supermodels Heather Marks and Grace Bol for the fashion fete. Monies raised from the runway romp and post-event shopping spree at Holt Renfrew will support the construction of more water wells in Africa.
DRESS IMPRESSED: Yours truly, along with CBC’s Erica Johnson, fronted Dress for Success Vancouver’s 17th IMPACT 360 Gala, held at Regency Lexus. The auto showroom was transformed into a party palace for the charity’s flagship event. Gala chair Florence Leung and DFS executive director Jennifer Halinda welcomed 300 of Vancouver’s most influential business leaders, sponsors and community supporters to the night of fashion and fundraising. Attendees enjoyed designer cocktails and culinary delights before taking in the party’s signature fashion show, which featured recent graduates of Dress for Success’ professional development and skills training program. The evening of glamour raised a record $102,000 to support the organization’s goal of helping 100 more women transition back to the workforce.
BIG LOVE: Two hundred business professionals once again gathered at the Aston-Martin Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»and Bentley Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»dealership for this year’s sold out Grape Juice event benefiting Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland. It was chaired by event founders Sarah McNeill and Cheryl Nakamoto. Attendees enjoyed a night of tastings and bidding on unique and exclusive wines, all in support of much-needed funds for Big Sister’s mentoring programs, which assist young girls to reach their fullest potential. While the white and red wine flowed, the dominant colour was green as a reported $94,000 was raised from the yearly tipple fest, catapulting the event’s nine-year tally beyond the $600,000 mark. Proceeds from the grape gala will support 47 Big and Little Sister matches for one year.
