By/Por Leah Bergman

The Vibiana, one of Los Angeles few remaining nineteenth century landmarks, is, by far, one of my favorite venues for a fashion show.  No longer used as a church but renovated for special events, this architectural treasure was a vista for the eyes.

Baroque columns lined either side of the sanctuary shooting up over forty-five feet to meet arches and an elaborately decorated ceiling.  In place of the altar was now a stage where Grammy award-winning, Latino-sensation Ozomatli played while beautiful designs graced the runway.

A red, sizzling dress was the first of designer Seng Xiong’s collection to walk the runway. His sexy dresses, are the perfect choice for a night on the town.

If not a night on the town, what about a walk down the aisle in one of Sonthai Gi’s wedding dresses? His  collection glided down the runway with simple elegance.

The elegance continued with evening wear. The AEIRTHE by Sharleene Chun collection was timeless while Cody Sai’s was edgy.

In the midst of all the glamor and evening wear, came a men’s urban wear collection by Madisonpark Collective. The collection is a modern rendition of American vintage.  The designer also featured numbered t-shirts for his male models.  What’s your favorite number?

The night’s festivities were in celebration of APAIT Health Center’s 25^th anniversary of providing service to Southern California. Originally started as a grass roots organization for underserved communities living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS, APAIT has grown into a comprehensive primary care health center.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said, “There are many people in our city who are not getting the help that they need.  This is why it is important to have a resource like APAIT Health Center to provide HIV education, substance use services, mental health, and primary care to the diverse communities of Los Angeles.”

First District Supervisor Gloria Molina echoed Villaraigosa’s sentiments, “I applaud the APAIT Health Center’s admirable mission to provide caring and comprehensive health care services to our region’s most vulnerable and medically underserved residents.”

The gala and fundraising event was hosted by CBS News Reporter Juan Fernandez and Actress Tamlyn Tomita (Karate Kid II, Glee).  Congresswoman Dr. Judy Chu, the first Chinese Congresswoman, served as an Honorary Host Co-Chair along with actor John Cho (Star Trek, American Pie).

The beautiful Brook Lee (Miss Universe/Miss USA) presented actor Alec Mapa (Ugly Betty, The View) with an “Unsung Hero Award” for his work with people living with HIV.  He said that APAIT was important to him because “during the height of the AIDS crisis none of the AIDS education was being made available to Asian people in their own language.” He continued with, “All of these people were at risk strictly because the information was not available in their own language. APAIT was at the forefront of getting that language put into the safe sex guidelines.”

Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard was awarded the “Courage in Leadership Award” for championing healthcare reform as well as for her public health initiatives while Johnson & Johnson received the “Corporate Leadership Award.”

Nothing goes better with good food, wine, fashion, and celebrities than people coming together to care about and to serve the community.  It takes many unsung heroes to care and to put “compassion into action.”

©2012 Leah Bergman

—————————-

Follow Leah on Twitter@LeahBergman

To learn more about APAIT Health Centers or make a donation http://www.apaitonline.org/