The Traveler

Issue date: 9/28/07 Section: Life & Style

Media Credit: Stacy Mossberger Miranda Williams-Epp dances with the models at her charity event.

On Wednesday night, the Pretty in Pink: Rock the Runway charity event featured fashion-forward designers like Shadang showcasing their designs, big stars like Edwin McCain performing, and hundreds of people in attendance. Saying the atmosphere was energetic doesn't do it justice.

Pretty in Pink: Rock the Runway was created and organized by Miranda Williams-Epp and sponsored by the Bank of Arkansas. In addition to organizing fundraising events like these, Epp also stays busy as the owner of The Pink Papaya, a hair salon near Dickson Street, as well as the neighboring clothing store The Blue Coconut.

Epp first started Pretty in Pink three years ago, and since then the event has raised over $200,000 to benefit breast cancer education and research, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Epp had big plans for this year's event. Individual cabanas decorated by different local businesses were going to be available for $2,500, and a beautiful runway was planned to showcase fashions by the L.A-based company, Shadang.

Unfortunately, the weather ruined those plans. As afternoon rainstorms came through Fayetteville, Epp was forced to find a new venue. George's Majestic Lounge on Dickson Street was gracious enough to open its doors to host the Rock the Runway fundraiser.

The sudden change of plans didn't dampen the mood at Pretty in Pink. With hundreds of people showing up for the event, George's was packed to the brim.

Popular country singer Edwin McCain, who is recognized for songs like "I'll Be" and "These Are the Moments," started off the night for an excited crowd. Pickler, a finalist on the fifth season of "American Idol," closed out the night. From beginning to end, the crowd was enthusiastic and supportive of all the events and performers.

All of the net proceeds from Rock the Runway went to the Ozark affiliate of the Susan G. Komen organization and, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Rock the Runway was expected to raise over $250,000.

There were a few sources that contributed to the amount raised. General admission tickets sold for $50, while VIP tickets sold for $100. A VIP cabana, capable of holding 10 people, sold for $2,500.

Throughout the night, raffle tickets were sold by Underwood Jewelers for $20 each, where diamond jewelry valued at $10,000 was given away at the end of the night.

Many local businesses donated items that were used in a live auction hosted by Dick Trammel. Some of the items included were a Bill Eddy custom pink Yamaha motorcycle (valued at $8,000), a platinum diamond eternity band donated by David Adams (valued at $3,700), a Christina Mariotti painting, a BMW bike and a guitar autographed by the night's musical performers.

For those who missed Rock the Runway, there are still ways to contribute to the SGK organization. According to the George's Majestic Lounge Web site, the Dickson Street establishment will host a "Pink Trash Ball" concert featuring Big Uns at 9 p.m. tonight. All proceeds from this concert go to benefit the Ozark affiliate of SGK.

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