Beauty that doesn’t stop with a cancer diagnosis was on display at The Breast Cancer Foundation’s, ‘Beyond the Scar’ fashion show on Saturday, 16 May at Hotel Indigo.
The event brought together fashion, storytelling and community to spotlight breast cancer warriors who now define beauty on their own terms – and it succeeded spectacularly.
The evening started with a welcome cocktail and an hour dedicated to socialising and shopping as guests entered a vibrant marketplace area outside the main ballroom. Goods ranging from handmade fine jewellery to specialised clothing, purses, shoes and more were on display. Several health-related booths were providing information right along with beauty items. With the mostly female audience dressed to impress, the photo booth was a big hit and the lineup for pictures did not stop all evening long.
When the ballroom doors opened at 7pm, the 250 attendees found seats to enjoy the show.
Chief administrator of Breast Cancer Foundation, Beverly Edgington, set the tone for the evening when she said, “For you all, may tonight be filled with joy, with wonder, with tears of pride, and with the unshakeable knowledge that beauty is not diminished by a diagnosis; it is deepened by it. These women became diamonds and tonight they walk for all of you.”
These “diamonds” showcased local fashion, and more importantly, themselves. The audience let their support be known throughout, cheering and often standing to show their approval for not only the beautiful outfits, but also for the beauty and courage exemplified by the cancer survivors who walked the runaway.
A highlight of the evening was keynote speaker Christine Handy, who spoke about her own experience with a breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery, and then walked the runway in the final segment of the show.
Handy, who is 55 now and just retired, said that she started modelling at 11 years old and throughout her life, she thought her looks defined her value. “My self-esteem was totally wrapped up in superficiality,” she said. “If we don’t work on our self-esteem, we start to believe things from other people and from outside forces.”
Handy said that when she was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer, her two sons were 11 and 13 years old and she wanted to stay alive to be their mother. She was scheduled to go through 28 rounds of chemo over a 15-month period and at first, was utterly terrified.
“I was so afraid to go to my first chemo treatment that I had someone paint my face,” she shared. “But then I found women that stood by me day after day, showing me the courage they had. … Their lives and relationships with me were not transactional.”
She also said that when she was at the height of her illness, she did a lot of introspective work. “God was pruning me – and I needed to be pruned.”
Through the experience, Handy said she realised that what really mattered in life was showing up for others.
“When you have people supporting you, you can borrow that courage from them. I knew that when I was done, I would have an opportunity to serve other people, and I took that very seriously” she said.
Handy took “meticulous notes” throughout her journey and ended up writing a best-selling novel, “Walk Beside Me”, which shares her story of survival, faith and transformation. A film based on her book “Hello Beautiful” will soon be released and Handy shared excerpts from it with the audience.
Handy spoke of her journey and how she continues to show up for others through her work as a global advocate, challenging traditional notions of beauty. She was the first Victoria Secret Angel without breasts and broke barriers – proudly modelling with scars and her concave chest as symbols of survival.
The models in the fashion show shared only their first names – Wendy, Marian, Ari, Gimena, Lee-Anne, Hollie, Victoria, Cindy, Arlene and Virginia – and each said little bit of herself in a brief introductory film before walking the catwalk – alone – to showcase the stunning clothing and accessories.
Each model looked polished and at ease – it seemed they were enjoying the event as much as the packed room. One of the models had just completed surgery in March yet still participated. The models were of varying ages from young to senior, but each wore her courage with pride.
The films shown also had messages from health professionals including Dr. Natalie Sharpe from Doctors Hospital, Dr. Danielle Smellie from Health Services Authority and Dr. Vineetha Binoy from Health City.
The outfits worn by the models came from Mars in The Strand, the Breast Cancer Foundation’s Confident Closet, and, for the beach and resort wear segment, from local designer Isy B.
All models including Handy gained a standing ovation at the end of the show. A feeling of gratitude and love was palpable on the air and much of the audience was struck with heightened emotions as these women stood in front of them, showcasing what resilience and strength looked like – and it was beautiful.
Caymanian supermodel Selita Ebanks was also in the audience. Following the show, she shared how emotional the event was for her. “I try to participate in all breast cancer foundation events, and it was an honour tonight to come to this,” she said, adding that her cousin, Jolene Miller, passed away from cancer.
“I know if my cousin was here today, she would have been on that stage and she would have been rocking it,” Ebanks said with tears in her eyes.
Edgington said she was overjoyed at the response of the audience in supporting the event.
“This is not a fund raiser,” she said. “It’s a community awareness event, but more importantly it’s a night where the women we support step into the light. They show the community that’s scars are not the end of beauty – they are evidence of survival.”
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