Passport to the Future

Macy’s Passport, the retailer’s annual fashion fund-raiser, celebrated its silveranniversary with a star-studded extravaganza at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif. Joining the famous-maker brands on the runway was Academy of ArtSan Francisco student Ashleigh Tucker, who, with her fellow students, createdeco-friendly designs inspired by and using environmentally friendly packaging. A crowd of 2,000 people celebrated the silver anniversary of Macy’s Passport with a spectacular runway show and a bevy of celebrities, including Dame Elizabeth Taylor and Dita Von Teese. The event is Macy’s West’s highest-profile fund-raising event and has raised over $27 million over the past 25 years. Taylor, an avid supporter of the event, accepted the “Humanitarian Award” for her work in the fight against HIV and AIDS. “I was here for the first evening, I was here last year, and I will continue to be here to join you in this fight until we defeat the enemy of HIV and AIDS,” Taylor said. Von Teese, a MAC spokesperson and burlesque performer, not only presented a check for $30,000 to Empower African Children on behalf of the MAC AIDS Fund but also performed for the evening’s finale. In a glamorous Swarovski-encrusted gown, Von Teese performed her infamous strip-tease act complete with martini glass, olive and bubbles.The fashion show highlighted key looks from Macy’s Fall designer lineup, with special guest appearances that had a high-octane theatrical flair. But even with the theatrics, the fashion took center stage. Two stunt unicyclists and extreme sports’ motorbike star Kane “Insane” Friesen added drama to Marc Ecko’s “Adrenaline” segment. A dance scene inspired by “The Ed Sullivan Show” and “Dreamgirls” featured ’60s-inspired shoe collections by Via Spiga.The combined performance by African dance troupe Spirit of Uganda and a group of young American dancers wearing clothing by Epic Threads was a crowd pleaser.A foggy English garden scene featured traditional classics by designers including Anna Sui, Hause of Howe, Elie Tahari and Marc by Marc Jacobs. Plaid coats and printed dresses for women and tail coats and top hats for men were key looks.Calvin Klein had two segments. The “A Day in the Life” vignette featured an exclusive collection for Macy’s, and “Steel” featured sexy black, gray and white Calvin Klein Underwear.

Levi’s took to the runway with rock ’n’ roll tunes in “The Sound of Blue,” which featured male models wearing body paint and denim that artistically interpreted the elements earth, air, wind, fire and metal.And student designers from the Academy of Art San Francisco featured creative designs of modern menswear and futuristic womenswear.The finale was a retrospective of sorts featuring one-of-a-kind silver creations by designers who have been honored with their own segments in the Passport fashion show over the past 25 years. Labels included Calvin Klein, Anna Sui, Michael Kors, Levi’s, Dulce de Leche and Stuart Weitzman. The designs will be available on eBay in early October, with all proceeds benefiting the Passport Fund.For more information on Macy’s Passport Fund or to purchase special merchandise created in honor of the anniversary event, visit www.macys.com/passport.