Wild Times and Fun Bras

DISPATCH - APR 25, 2012 (9:45 p.m.)

SOUTHAMPTON, NY

Do your spirits need a lift? Ready for wild time? Like creative bras? If your answers are 'Yes,' then head to The Southampton Publick House tomorrow night (Apr 26) for the Reconstructed Bra Fashion Show and Auction. The annual fundraiser has artists, designers, cancer survivors and celebrities making the wildest bras possible to raise money and awareness for area non-profit organizations serving those battling cancer.

By all accounts, The Reconstructed Bra is a fun time. Ordinary (and attractive) citizens put on a creative bra, an ensemble and a smile to stroll a cat walk made for the occasion at the Southampton microbrewery and restaurant. This year, celebrity designers LeAnn Marshall and Michael Costello of Project Runway and Carson Kressley of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy are lending their talents to the annual fundraiser. Marshall designed a dress to slip over a bra. She won Season Five of the popular television show.

The evening promises to have no shortage of feathers, beads, flowers, ribbons, tinsel, rhinestones, ruffles and more, according to event co-organizer Susan Barry Roden. The bras are closer to works of art than Victoria's Secret, said Rosen.

Artists and gallerists who designed bras for this year's event include Sara Nightingale, Pat Kochie, Tom Kochie, Karyn Mannix, Steven Zaluski, Casey Dalene and others.

Here's a preview of some of the bras to be auctioned:

.

By Sara Nightingale

By Paula Brannon

By Pat Kochie

By Steven Zalusky

By Tom Kochie

By Pinky & Z

.

The Reconstructed Bra Fashion Show and Auction is a whimsical and wacky way of raising money for local breast health organizations. Benefiting are Lucia's Angels, the Coalition for Women's Cancers at Southampton Hospital, and the Ellen Hermanson Breast Center. All are located in Southampton, NY.

The idea to host an evening of outrageous bras to assist those with breast cancer is the perfect pairing, said Stacy Quarty, president and co-founder of Lucia's Angels and vice president of the Coalition for Women's Cancers at Southampton Hospital. The lighteness of the evening makes for an attractive way to deal with a difficult subject, she said.

The bra auction is one of several fundraising efforts for "Heaven Can Wait," a walking team based in Southampton. Each year, the team walks in the LI2Day Walk for Breast Cancer. Participants in the LI2Day Walk for Breast Cancer walk 35 miles over two days.

The Heaven Can Wait raises money for the entire team so everyone who wants to can walk can do so, regardless of the ability to raise or pay the required donation for participation. Besides raising money together, the Heaven Can Wait team trains together so the lofty athletic goal can be safely met.

The Reconstructed Bra Fashion Show and Auction is a fun way to raise money, get pumped up for the walking event and to connect the community with a good cause.

.

Event Organizers Susan Barry Roden and Stacy Quarty.

.

BASIC FACTS: The Reconstructed Bra Fashion Show and Auction will be held on Thursday, Apr 26, at 7 p.m. at The Southampton Publick House, 40 Bowden Square, Southampton, NY. Tickets are $45 in advance or $50 at the door. Tickets can be purchased in Southampton at Catena's Market, the Southampton Publick House and at the Breast Center at Southampton Hospital. For information on the event or to donate, call Lucia's Angels at 631-204-9331.

Lucia's Angels: www.luciasangels.org

Ellen Hermanson Breast Center: www.southamptonhospital.org/Services/Breast-Center/default.aspx

Coalition for Women's Cancers at Southampton Hospital: www.southamptonhospital.org

LI2DAY Walk for Breast Cancer: www.li2daywalk.org

________________________________________

© 2012 Pat Rogers and Hamptons Art Hub. All rights reserved.