A runway filled with bold colors, imaginative designs and a few familiar faces brought the Los Gatos community together on Saturday, October 10, for Metamorphosis: An Evening of Fashion and Philanthropy. Held at La Rinconada Country Club, the event raised an estimated $129,000 to support Pacific Clinics’ behavioral health and social services programs.
The fashion show was the creative vision of Dustin David, owner of Los Gatos’ Dustin David Salon, who partnered with Bay Area Senior Director of Fund Development Darren DeMonsi to bring the event to life. David assembled a lineup of local boutiques and independent designers and served as the evening’s emcee, introducing each collection as it made its way down the runway.
The theme, Metamorphosis, connected fashion’s power to transform how people see themselves with the growth and change made possible through Pacific Clinics’ programs.
Young adults from Pacific Clinics’ HOPE Drop-In Center were among the stars of the show, walking the runway alongside professional models and friends of the agency. During rehearsals, the professional models helped the young adults prepare for their runway debut, sharing a few tricks of the trade along the way.
The fashion show featured collections from Los Gatos boutiques Bella Rosa, In the Olde Manner, Kismet and Jennifer Croll, alongside distinctive designs by Tobin Keller, Mariclare McKnight and I.B. Bayo. Dustin David Salon and Beaute Bar helped bring the looks to life with hair and makeup.
The evening was made possible by a broad coalition of community supporters, including presenting sponsor Swenson Foundation; underwriters Jim and Marianne Nelson and Darrell Evora; Pacific Clinics’ Community Leadership Board; and local businesses that contributed goods, services and auction items.
Among those lending their support were Winston’s Champagne Bar, Oak & Rye, Annieglass, Santa Cruz Warriors, Marini Skin Solutions, Happy Dragon Thrift Shop, Butter Paddle Gift Shop, Unicorn Thrift Shop and Joseph George Wine Merchants.
The evening also continued a longstanding tradition of community generosity. While the fashion show program was new this year, the fundraiser event itself originated more than a decade ago through the efforts of community supporters Sandy Kyle and the chef Nick Difu, whose generosity established a beloved local tradition of bringing people together over a meal to support children and families.
That spirit was evident throughout Metamorphosis, from the volunteers and local businesses who helped bring the show to life to the young people whose experiences gave the evening its meaning.
“Bringing our local community together to support these amazing young men and women is what our agency and Board is all about,” said Lisa Swenson, CLB Chair and Statewide Board Member. “We’re inspired by Jasmine and so many others who have turned their lives around with the help of Pacific Clinics programs”
Thank you to everyone who helped make Metamorphosis a memorable celebration of creativity, community and the possibilities that emerge when young people have the support they need to thrive.
