SJBCC and Women of Hope hold fourth annual survivors fashion show

Eight models donned stunning outfits Thursday, April 18, at Lucien’s Manor for the fourth annual Fashion Show Survivors: Always in Style, sporting suits and dresses, as well as summer wear and casual attire.

However, what the models wore on the inside was much more important – courage, self-love and confidence.

The annual fashion show, presented by the South Jersey Breast Cancer Coalition and Women of Hope Resource Center, helps the men and women who model during the event celebrate their strength to overcome adversity, as they are survivors of breast cancer, addiction, domestic or mental abuse and other adversities.

Emcee Linda Lane introduced the eight individuals, seven females and one male, while reading their personally written stories detailing their struggles in the past and how they fought to overcome the challenges they faced, or how they continue to fight to this day.

“I have an amazing support group who makes me want to fight even more,” said one model’s written statement.

“The goal is always the same – survive at all costs,” said another’s.

Berlin Borough resident Lisa Cooper was just one of the models who participated in the event. Over three years ago, Cooper had bilateral breast cancer and had a radical double mastectomy.

She learned about the SJBCC and the fashion show after a friend originally wanted to simply take her out to celebrate Coopers’ fight and survival. Instead, she ended up being one of the models and was looking forward to celebrating and is thankful for the support all over.

“My friend wanted to bring me to dinner to celebrate a new beginning, and then she asked if I would model, and that’s how it came to be,” Cooper said. “But the people that are here with me are the best, most honest people in the world. Everybody stepped in … you can’t go through this by yourself.”

Vanessa Puk had her personal story read, detailing her struggles with cancer, domestic abuse and addiction over the past decade. Although it hasn’t been an easy road, and slip ups can happen, Puk says she’s grown so much over the past few years in being confident and treating herself right.

“I learned from it all and it made me a stronger individual,” Puk said. “I still am learning from it.”

Puk says she hopes to be able to reach just one person with her story, to help them overcome whatever they might be battling and realize they can overcome.

“I want to be an inspiration to someone,” Puk said. “I just want to change one person because I want to inspire them. It does get better.”

Puk has since gone back to school to get an associate’s degree and is in the process of getting another, aiming to work in social work one day to continue her passion to help others facing adversity. Puk currently interns with the Women of Hope Resource Center, helping women who face similar situations to hers.

According to Loretta Mikulski, president of the SJBCC, the event moved to Lucien’s Manor due to the event’s continued growth and to allow the entrance of the models to be more dramatic and meaningful. Additionally, eight companies sponsored each model for the night.

Boscov’s, Greatest Find Thriftique and St. Vincent dePauls were the participating boutiques, while salons that did the models’ hair were 91 South Salon, LaBelle Vie Salon, Nail Magic and Hair Design, Salon 7 and Unlimited Salon and Spa.

Mikulski says she looks forward to the event every year and is happy the models are happy to confidently show off their adversity as they continue to fight.

“It’s more about empowerment,” Mikulski said. “These models have gone though some type of strife, whether it’s addiction, domestic abuse, breast cancer; they’ve gone through that process. And it’s part of the healing process.”

“It turns them from a survivor into a thriver,” Mikulski added.