This year marks the 16th anniversary of the Out of the Closet “Cheap Chic” Fashion Show & Auction.
On May 2, 2009, at 9:00 PM, guests 21 and over gathered for an exciting fundraising event hosted by the iconic Julie Newmar.
For those who remember, Newmar famously portrayed Catwoman in the syndicated Batman TV series and made a memorable cameo in the film To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (SPOILER ALERT: she appears during the film’s climax). While taking a break from acting, Newmar experienced a resurgence in popularity in the 1990s when she modeled for designer Thierry Mugler alongside supermodels Claudia Schiffer and Linda Evangelista. The statuesque, Tony Award-winning actress—often described as the “ideal woman”—became a celebrated inspiration within the LGBTQIA+ community.
Coordinated by designer Louis Natividad under the theme “Tough Times, Great Solutions!”, the event took place at the original Hollywood Out of the Closet location at 6210 Sunset Blvd—a fitting venue for Newmar, a Los Feliz native. The fashion show featured models wearing an eclectic array of affordable looks, all sourced directly from the thrift store. Guests had the opportunity to bid on various items, including a pair of jeans worn and signed by Ms. Newmar that night, as well as the outfits modeled on the runway.
Proceeds from this landmark event benefitted the local and global communities served by AHF—a mission that continues to this day.
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