There was plenty of gown-gawking to be had, both on and off the fashion runway, at the Loft Gala, held Saturday at the Hilton Lac Leamy.
Models from AMTI showed off the latest by Israeli designer Eyal Zimerman during the Loft Gala, held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016.
A sold-out crowd of 500 donned its glamorous best for a 1940s and ‘50s-themed night packed with swing band music from the Stan Clark Orchestra with song, dancing and a fashion show from Israeli designer Eyal Zimerman. Doing justice to his gowns were host Sarah Freemark, from CTV Morning Live, and philanthropist Barbara Crook. It was cute to see her applauding a runway model as she seemed to float past her in almost the same flowy dress being worn by Crook.
Sighted were Israel Ambassador Rafael Barak and his wife, Miriam, as well as senior cancer research scientists Dr. John Bell and Doug Gray (the latter played sax in the orchestra that night). Lawyer and community leader Lawrence Greenspon was to lead the live auction.
Last year’s gala raised $27,000, and organizers were hoping to bring in even more this year to help with cancer research and the unique local cancer coaching offered through the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation. The foundation’s president and CEO, Linda Eagen, clearly and ably brought home the scary message of how cancer can hit any one of us at any moment. “In this community right now there are 30,000 people in treatment,” said Eagen. “Every two hours, somebody hears three words: You have cancer.”
The evening was organized by a volunteer committee led by businessman Bruno Racine, of The Loft hair salon and spa. He was also the driving force behind 11 seasons of Ottawa Fashion Week.
Photos: Loft Gala
A sold-out crowd of 500 donned its glamorous best at the Hilton Lac Leamy Saturday for the Loft Gala, a night packed with song, dancing and a fashion show from Israeli designer Eyal Zimerman, in support of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.
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![From left, Joanne Robitaille, Proud to be Me founder Cindy Cutts and Jill Bonk were out to support the glamorous Loft Gala held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016, in aid of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.]()
From left, Joanne Robitaille, Proud to be Me founder Cindy Cutts and Jill Bonk were out to support the glamorous Loft Gala held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016, in aid of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.
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![John Ouellette, vice president of philanthropy for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation, is flanked by prominent cancer research scientists Dr. John Bell, left, and Dr. Doug Gray, at the Loft Gala held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016, to raise funds for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.]()
John Ouellette, vice president of philanthropy for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation, is flanked by prominent cancer research scientists Dr. John Bell, left, and Dr. Doug Gray, at the Loft Gala held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016, to raise funds for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.
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![From left, Rahul Kochar, vice president with Phoenix Homes, and Simran Narula with Angie Sakla-Seymour and Lou Seymour of AMTI (Angie's Models and Talent International) at The Loft Gala held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016, in support of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.]()
From left, Rahul Kochar, vice president with Phoenix Homes, and Simran Narula with Angie Sakla-Seymour and Lou Seymour of AMTI (Angie's Models and Talent International) at The Loft Gala held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016, in support of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.
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![Attendees of the Loft Gala included Joan Weinman, left, and her partner Rosemarie Leclair, chair and CEO of the Ontario Energy Board, at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016.]()
Attendees of the Loft Gala included Joan Weinman, left, and her partner Rosemarie Leclair, chair and CEO of the Ontario Energy Board, at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016.
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![From left, Bruno Racine and his partner Paul Valletta, owners of The Loft spa and salon, at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016, for this year's Loft Gala chaired by Racine in support of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.]()
From left, Bruno Racine and his partner Paul Valletta, owners of The Loft spa and salon, at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016, for this year's Loft Gala chaired by Racine in support of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.
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![From left, Ottawa criminal defence lawyer Doug Baum with Israeli Ambassador Rafael Barak and his wife, Miriam, and Ulle Baum, who was an ambassador of another kind in helping to promote this year's Loft Gala, held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016, in support of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.]()
From left, Ottawa criminal defence lawyer Doug Baum with Israeli Ambassador Rafael Barak and his wife, Miriam, and Ulle Baum, who was an ambassador of another kind in helping to promote this year's Loft Gala, held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016, in support of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.
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![Models from AMTI showed off the latest by Israeli designer Eyal Zimerman during the Loft Gala, held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016.]()
Models from AMTI showed off the latest by Israeli designer Eyal Zimerman during the Loft Gala, held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016.
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![The Loft Gala, held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016, was packed with music, song, fashion and even swing dance at this year's 1940s and '50s themed evening to raise funds for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.]()
The Loft Gala, held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016, was packed with music, song, fashion and even swing dance at this year's 1940s and '50s themed evening to raise funds for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.
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![Sarah Freemark from CTV Morning Live was the returning host (wearing a gown by featured Israeli designer Eyal Zimerman), at the second annual Loft Gala for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation, held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016.]()
Sarah Freemark from CTV Morning Live was the returning host (wearing a gown by featured Israeli designer Eyal Zimerman), at the second annual Loft Gala for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation, held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016.
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![Models from AMTI showed off the latest by Israeli designer Eyal Zimerman during the Loft Gala, held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016.]()
Models from AMTI showed off the latest by Israeli designer Eyal Zimerman during the Loft Gala, held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016.
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![Models from AMTI showed off the latest by Israeli designer Eyal Zimerman during the Loft Gala, held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016.]()
Models from AMTI showed off the latest by Israeli designer Eyal Zimerman during the Loft Gala, held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016.
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![Models from AMTI showed off the latest by Israeli designer Eyal Zimerman during the Loft Gala, held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016.]()
Models from AMTI showed off the latest by Israeli designer Eyal Zimerman during the Loft Gala, held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016.
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![Models from AMTI showed off the latest by Israeli designer Eyal Zimerman during the Loft Gala, held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016.]()
Models from AMTI showed off the latest by Israeli designer Eyal Zimerman during the Loft Gala, held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016.
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![Singer and pianist Yaa-Hemaa Obiri-Yeboah performed at the Loft Gala on Saturday, April 30, 2016, as part of a cancer foundation benefit packed with song, dance, music and fashion.]()
Singer and pianist Yaa-Hemaa Obiri-Yeboah performed at the Loft Gala on Saturday, April 30, 2016, as part of a cancer foundation benefit packed with song, dance, music and fashion.
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![From left, LeeAnn Lacroix, one of the ambassador's for this year's Loft Gala, with Peggy Taillon, Ann Rickenbacker and Tammy Laverty at this year's gala evening, held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016, in support of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.]()
From left, LeeAnn Lacroix, one of the ambassador's for this year's Loft Gala, with Peggy Taillon, Ann Rickenbacker and Tammy Laverty at this year's gala evening, held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016, in support of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.
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![Organizing committee members, from top left, Catriona Fagan, Payton Kennedy, Paul Valletta, Katherine O'Halloran, Rob Cosh, Mehdi Jourabbaf, Bruno Racine and Diane Béland at the second annual Loft Gala, held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016.]()
Organizing committee members, from top left, Catriona Fagan, Payton Kennedy, Paul Valletta, Katherine O'Halloran, Rob Cosh, Mehdi Jourabbaf, Bruno Racine and Diane Béland at the second annual Loft Gala, held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016.
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![The audience applauds Israeli fashion designer Eyal Zimerman as he walks the catwalk with a pair of models following his fashion show, a featured part of the Loft Gala evening held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016.]()
The audience applauds Israeli fashion designer Eyal Zimerman as he walks the catwalk with a pair of models following his fashion show, a featured part of the Loft Gala evening held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016.
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![From left, Karla Briones, Seema Kudesia, Julie Beun, who served as one of the Loft Gala ambassadors, and Nandini Sarkar at this year's evening of fashion, arts, entertainment and dining, held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016, in support of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.]()
From left, Karla Briones, Seema Kudesia, Julie Beun, who served as one of the Loft Gala ambassadors, and Nandini Sarkar at this year's evening of fashion, arts, entertainment and dining, held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016, in support of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.
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![From left, organizing committee member Catriona Fagan with mezzo-soprano Lydia Piehl and Seana Speirs at the Loft Gala, held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016, in support of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.]()
From left, organizing committee member Catriona Fagan with mezzo-soprano Lydia Piehl and Seana Speirs at the Loft Gala, held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016, in support of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.
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![From left, Darpan Ahluwalia with Sid Cratzbarg, Tiffany Smith and art dealer Lilia Faulkner (front) at the Loft Gala, held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016, in support of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.]()
From left, Darpan Ahluwalia with Sid Cratzbarg, Tiffany Smith and art dealer Lilia Faulkner (front) at the Loft Gala, held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016, in support of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.
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![Bruno Racine, organizing committee chair of the Loft Gala, welcomes a sold-out crowd of 500 to the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016, for this year's gala evening, held in support of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.]()
Bruno Racine, organizing committee chair of the Loft Gala, welcomes a sold-out crowd of 500 to the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016, for this year's gala evening, held in support of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.
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![From left, Andrew Milne and his wife, real estate broker Dominique Milne, mingled outside the Hilton Lac Leamy with Susan Sykes and Sean Sykes during the Loft Gala, held Saturday, April 30, 2016, in support of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.]()
From left, Andrew Milne and his wife, real estate broker Dominique Milne, mingled outside the Hilton Lac Leamy with Susan Sykes and Sean Sykes during the Loft Gala, held Saturday, April 30, 2016, in support of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.
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![From left, Rhonda Markwick, Chelsey Barber and Melinda Bergeron from The Ottawa Clinic at the Loft Gala, held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016, in support of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.]()
From left, Rhonda Markwick, Chelsey Barber and Melinda Bergeron from The Ottawa Clinic at the Loft Gala, held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016, in support of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.
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![Aaron McFarlane with his mother, Karen Ergus, at the Loft Gala held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016.]()
Aaron McFarlane with his mother, Karen Ergus, at the Loft Gala held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016.
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![From left, Barbara Crook, in a gown by Israeli designer Eyal Zimerman, and the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation's president and CEO, Linda Eagen, at The Loft Gala held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016.]()
From left, Barbara Crook, in a gown by Israeli designer Eyal Zimerman, and the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation's president and CEO, Linda Eagen, at The Loft Gala held at the Hilton Lac Leamy on Saturday, April 30, 2016.
