You may have noticed we recently ran a $5,000 Charity Giveaway, sponsored by Papa John’s Pizza. Readers voted to select Louisville’s top charities, and the organization with the most votes won the cash prize. We gathered amazing women representatives from the top six charities for a day of pampering and fashion, and they graciously modeled some stunning holiday looks that are perfect for the season.
Stylist extraordinaire Shannon Kessler of Primp Style Lounge worked with each woman to find looks to match her style aesthetic and body type, while the talented hair and makeup artists from Primp pampered these local representatives. This unique photo shoot took place at Historic Whitehall, which was the perfect setting for these women to bathe in the limelight they so deserve. Check out these gorgeous holiday looks and the even more gorgeous women wearing them!
National Kidney Foundation Serving Kentucky
Brittany Statts, Development Manager
The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is the largest, most comprehensive and longstanding organization dedicated to the awareness, prevention and treatment of kidney disease. So far in 2018, there have been 170 kidney transplants in Kentucky, with more than 5,000 people currently on dialysis and 772 people waiting for a kidney transplant. Because of increasing rates of diabetes and high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease is on the rise and is an urgent issue — it is an under-recognized public health crisis. “Our next fundraiser will be our Gift of Life Gala, which will be held at the Speed Art Museum on March 16, 2019,” Brittany says. “We always welcome those interested to join us at one of our fundraisers to learn more about the great things that we do.”
“My favorite thing about the photo shoot was meeting the empowering women of other exceptional organizations. We are often so busy it is easy to forget how many charitable organizations are working tirelessly to improve our community,” Brittany says. “I would like to say thank you to Papa John’s for sponsoring such a unique opportunity to raise awareness for so many great causes. Also thanks to StyleBlueprint, Primp Style Lounge and everyone else who created the opportunity to meet energetic people in my field in a fun and engaging manner.”
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Harbor House
Whitney Brown, Assistant Program Manager
Janet Farrar, daughter of the founder
When individuals with disabilities turn 21, they lose most, if not all, of their services and resources from the school system. They are left with no place to go, no sense of purpose and no quality of life. They often sit at home while their caregivers work, spending their days in front of a TV. Harbor House was created to change this. Harbor House allows these individuals a place to go to be productive, learn and grow. It is a place to find employment, get out in the community, learn life skills and make friends. “Although Disneyland likes to think they are the happiest place on Earth … well, they only say that because they have never been to Harbor House,” Whitney says.
“My most favorite thing about taking part in the photo shoot was being able to experience it with Janet. She is a very special part of Harbor House and enjoyed every minute of getting all prettied up for the photo shoot,” says Whitney. “I loved that my outfit was something I wouldn’t normally pick for myself, but I loved it, and it made me feel confident! Janet’s outfit was very stylish and modern. She loved how it fit her and couldn’t stop smiling. It was amazing for Janet to experience this. Although she cannot verbalize very well, I could tell that it made her day to be a part of this, and it made her feel beautiful.”
Dreams With Wings
Holly Humfleet, Supported Employment Director
Dreams With Wings focuses on each individual as a whole person. All people have the right to reach their full potential and have a meaningful life. Dreams With Wings assists each individual with a meaningful life through working in the community, providing a home, socializing with friends and family and giving back to the community through volunteering.
“My favorite part of the fashion shoot was getting out of my comfort zone with my personal style and trying something new,” says Holly. “My daily fashion consists of jeans and a nice shirt or sweatshirt, so having someone ask you to try on some amazing clothes, earrings and shoes was a lot of fun. It was amazing to see the hair, makeup and clothes all come together for an amazing look. Shannon really did an amazing job picking out all my holiday looks — I truly loved them all. The second-best part was telling my kids what I did that day and showing them some personal pictures I took of myself. They have never seen their mom that dressed up!”
The Top 3 Finalists
Down Syndrome of Louisville
Carly Riggs, Southern Indiana Outreach Coordinator, Adolescent/Adult Program Specialist and Coach of the Boogie Down Crew
Down Syndrome of Louisville‘s Lifelong Centers in Louisville and New Albany, IN want to invite StyleBlueprint readers to the annual Gallop Gala on April 12, 2019, hosted by Churchill Downs. “Our guests will get into the Derby spirit with the ultimate party band — the Louisville Crashers,” Carly says. Reservations, sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are available now. Contact Nicole Volz at (502) 495-5088 or [email protected].
“The photo shoot was a blast! It was so fun to be pampered for a day and styled by Shannon,” says Carly. “The most enjoyable part of the experience was to hear about all the incredible work being done by these women around the city. Mayor Fischer refers to Louisville as ‘Compassion City,’ which I find to be so true! All of our organizations thrive because of the hard work and loyalty of those who support us.”
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Twisted Pink
Caroline Johnson, Founder
Twisted Pink was founded by stage III breast cancer patient and Louisvillian Caroline Johnson. “I found a lump in my left breast at 39 years old,” says Caroline. “This was one year after having a baseline mammogram. During my treatment, I learned that only seven percent of dollars directed to breast cancer in the U.S. reach metastatic researchers. Metastatic breast cancer is stage IV breast cancer, and there is no cure. The median mortality rate is two to three years upon diagnosis. Up to 30 percent of all breast cancer patients experience metastasis or stage IV breast cancer, so the funding to research is very disproportionate. Twisted Pink began in June 2014, and we continue to direct 100 percent of our profits to metastatic breast cancer research.”
“The fashion shoot day will forever be a part of my special memories because I was able to connect with other organizations doing great work,” she says. Caroline has a soft spot for our $5,000 charity giveaway, as last year the Visually Impaired Preschool Services won this contest. “My husband serves as President of the VIPS Board. VIPS has a special place in our hearts because our son Michael was one of the very first graduates of the VIPS Preschool.”
raiseRED
Regan Hall, Design Coordinator
And the winner is … raiseRED! This year-long fundraising effort on the University of Louisville’s campus helps in the fight against pediatric cancer and blood disease here in the Kentuckiana community. Every February, the organization celebrates its year-long fundraising with an 18-hour dance marathon, where their yearly fundraising total is revealed. Not only does raiseRED do great work in the community by fundraising for kids and their families at the UofL Department of Pediatric Oncology & Hematology, raiseRED is also a great experience in which the students get involved. It’s actually the largest student-run organization on UofL’s campus, giving students the opportunity to learn leadership and grow as individuals, while still giving back to the Louisville community and a great cause.
“My favorite part about doing the shoot was getting to represent raiseRED as an organization. There are so many hard-working individuals within our leadership team — it was truly remarkable to be the ‘face’ of the organization for the day,” says Regan. “My favorite thing about the outfits that Shannon pulled for us was that she still kept in mind what our styles were. Shannon’s picks were so fun and stylish, and I still got to be myself in clothes that I would actually wear. It was such a great boost of confidence.”
Kudos to all of our fantastic finalists and thank you to our sponsor Papa John’s!
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
- To Shannon Kessler of Primp Style Lounge for styling each of our wonderful models in these fabulous looks and to her team for making these ladies feel so fabulous with the stylings of your talented hair and makeup artists.
- To our amazing boutiques that contributed clothing for our photo shoot: Work the Metal, Collections Boutique and Rodeo Drive.
- To Historic Whitehall for letting us use your stunning venue as the backdrop for our fashion shoot.
- To Christine Mueller Photography for the breathtaking photos of our representatives.
- To Papa John’s for sponsoring our $5,000 Charity Giveaway.
- And to each of our finalists for the tremendous work they do in our community each and every day!
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