Project Runway, The Fashion Show, America’s Next Top Model…these are just a few of the reality series which show us just how hard the fashion industry is, how grueling it can be, and how unfair. Last weekend, Frankin Avenue became host to the lighter side of fashion, when Stage Left Fashions put on a fabulous show to raise money for the March of Dimes' March for Babies walk and Team Laurita.  

“The March of Dimes has a mission that’s so easy for families to rally behind," Jacqueline Kelly, Community Director of the North Jersey Division of March of Dimes, told Patch. "Stronger, healthier babies is our goal and we will stop at nothing to get there."

Stage Left and the March of Dimes worked together to spread awareness about the mission and welcome new supporters. On hand for the event was Stage Left Fashionistas, Gia, Gabriella, Milania Giudice and their mom, Teresa.  

The children’s fashion boutique was opened by Rosana Harms after she became dissatisfied by the selection of fashionable children’s clothes she found in her own shopping experiences. Now in its third year, Stage Left has mastered the art of all things girly: bursts of bright color, bold patterns, and flashy sequins, all of which enchanted the eyes of those who gathered to watch would-be glamour girls show off the latest trends in kids’ fashion in support of March of Dimes. 

“Anything that has to do with babies, I’m there,” Giudice said of supporting the fashion show. She noted that the event also allowed her to share a special experience with three of her daughters, a definite plus. “Being on a reality television show, I see how lucky I am.”

Her sentiment was collectively shared by all the event’s key players, and the business owners who elevated every aspect of the evening —  organic crudités, fresh fruit and cheese, crab cakes and other bite-size specialties donated by Anthony Pino, owner of  Anthony David’s and Bin 14 in Hoboken, with Jocelyn Schwarz's Dipped Cake Pops for dessert — tiny balls of cake, covered in frosting, atop a lollipop stick, an ideal snack for children modeling borrowed clothes in a fashion show.

Although food is an important part of any event,  hair and makeup are pivotal at a fashion show. Julie Ezra, of Faces Plus in Wayne, was on hand to get the already beautiful models runway-ready. Ezra heard about the event from two of her Real Housewives clients, and thought it was a great way to get involved. Fittingly, many of the models sported purple hair extensions or accessories in support of March of Dimes.

As the models took to the runway—a sparkly black stage with flower petals strewn about—Mac Hartshorn captured the moments on camera. Hartshorn along with wife Jennifer, owns Hartshorn Portraiture in Hoboken. "We're thrilled to take part in this event," she said. Later this month Stage Left is hosting an exclusive event with Hartshorn Portraiture and offering mini park shoots. A session for this event was raffled off at the fashion show event.

March of Dimes’ mission is to prevent birth defects and infant mortality, and ensure healthy pregnancies for women everywhere. Harms, as a mother of two and a grandmother of one, notes the cause is close to her heart. She is also a frequent supporter of local school fundraisers, often donating gift cards and gift baskets.

“I love giving back,” Harms said. “It’s a great feeling knowing that I did something to help someone else.”

She is as much motivated by her own blessings—“I’m so blessed to have healthy children and wonderful friends,” she said—as her desire to provide her shoppers with a fun, interactive experience.

“The big payoff is that the kids have so much fun,” she told Patch while detailing the behind-the-scenes details that go into putting a fashion show together. An added bonus is that the models, who ranged in ages five to 13, become active members of the community—in donating their time, they learn the importance of giving back.

All of the evening’s events were captured on video thanks to Stephen Marinaro, aka, The Salon Guy. Marinaro has been a professional stylist for 19 years, and has made it his mission to share his passion with others through motivational videos offering advice to salon professionals, and by bringing media coverage to events that showcase beauty and styling talent within a broader message.

“It’s great to see business owners understanding the importance of social networking and bringing people together for great causes,” Marinaro told Patch. “It was incredible to see a fashion show where these adorable young girls had a chance to walk the catwalk.”

Indeed, the young models made the most of their chance on the runway, and exuded a confidence that Marinaro and many in the audience found surprising and refreshing. (His footage from the will posted soon!)

If you missed it, there are more events to come at Stage Left, including another fashion show and a book signing for Giudice, whose newest cookbook, Fabulicious!: Teresa’s Italian Family Cookbook, hit bookstores this week.

The collection includes traditional family recipes, some of which were renamed by Giudice. Busy moms of young fashionistas should check out Bella Sausage and Veggie Bake, Pesce (Fish) Primavera, Spaghetti Pie, and Pookie Pasta Primavera, which can be found in her Last Minute Suppers chapter.

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The March for Babies walk took place the morning after the fashion show at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, at Darlington Park in Mahwah, and at hundreds of sites around the country.  

Another local Housewife, Jacqueline Laurita, took charge as the 2011 March for Babies Honorary Chair. “I was so happy when [Kelly] approached me about volunteering with the March of Dimes,” Laurita told Patch. “I am honored to serve in the capacity as Chairwoman for Morris County’s March for Babies. I suffered two very difficult pregnancies and had five miscarriages… I took it very hard. Having a charity like March of Dimes is so important to help educate women and families about the risks of having a premature baby.” 

“The charity fashion show at Stage Left was a wonderful kickoff to celebrate March for Babies Weekend!" said Kelly. "Stage Left is an incredible partner of the March of Dimes and we are thrilled that their patrons and friends were able to support the cause and celebrate healthier babies with us."