If you don’t have it marked on the calendar, tickets bought, dress picked out, it’s time to get on it girls. One of our favorite annual fundraising parties is happening next month at The Revelry, and it’s going to be a good one. We will be there, with bells on. Literally, there may be bells on our outfits. Or Bell Bottoms. Or Both. The dress code suggestion is COCKTAIL COUTURE after all.
The 9th Annual Fashion Breathes Life Gala [FBL] presented by Abernethy Contracting, will be on Saturday, February 24, and will feature top fashions presented by Sloan Boutique, styled by Chantal DePraeter of Chantilly Style and modeled by this year’s Charlotte FBL ICONs, along with elegant dining and drinks, a unique auction, and the opportunity to mingle with some of the Queen City’s most influential residents.
Presented by The Western Carolinas – Charlotte Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Fashion Breathes Life offers a fantastic opportunity to unify our community in support of those with cystic fibrosis, as well as play a key role in helping achieve The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s fundraising goals.
Fashion Breathes Life Gala
Saturday, February 24, 2024
The Revelry in Camp Northend
Ticket Price: $350 per person
- 6:00-7:30p – Cocktail Hour & Dinner Stations, Silent Auction Bidding & Kristin Hayes Jewelry Pull
- 7:30p – Seating for Fashion Show
- 7:45p – Icon Fashion Show, Live Auction and Special Guest Bid for a Cure Speakers
- 9:00p – Live Music from Southside Watt & Late Night Snacks After Party
Who and What are the FBL Icons?
The Fashion Breathes Life fashion models are known as ICONs, as they not only bravely walk the runway in front of a roomful of guests, they also commit to raising funds to support the cause and generate excitement about the event and the cause within our community. You can see this year’s ICONs below and donate to their support here.
What is Cystic Fibrosis
What is CF? Cystic fibrosis is a progressive, genetic disease that affects the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. There are close to 40,000 children and adults living with cystic fibrosis in the United States (and an estimated 105,000 people have been diagnosed with CF across 94 countries), and CF can affect people of every racial and ethnic group.
The mission of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is to cure cystic fibrosis and to provide all people with CF the opportunity to lead long, fulfilling lives by funding research and drug development, partnering with the CF community, and advancing high-quality, specialized care.
The Story Behind This Annual Gala
In 2008, Jill and Ben Pleune welcomed their youngest son Oliver to their growing family. Their joy, however, was overshadowed when doctors confirmed their baby boy had cystic fibrosis. Jill, co-owner of Charlotte’s Sloan Boutique, took her passion for both fashion and making a difference in Oliver’s life, and created Fashion Breathes Life in 2015 alongside Ben and their supportive family, friends and clients.
Oliver is now in high school and loves playing all sports!
Another critical member of the Fashion Breathes Life committee is Nicole Scronce, a stylist and manager at Capitol. Nicole and her husband Josh welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world in early 2016. After conducting a newborn screening, followed by a sweat test, Cinnie was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Nicole and Josh were jilted into their new world as parents, now caring for a baby that will be fighting her entire life. Cinnie is 8 years old, loves hanging with her friends and cheerleading.
Oliver, Cinnie and all of those living with cystic fibrosis are the inspiration for Fashion Breathes Life and we will not stop until a cure is found.
