Men Model Bras for Breast Cancer Research
Story and photos by BRANDY CRUZ
Central Texas businessmen were ready to rock — and walk — for a cause as they strutted their stuff on the catwalk for the 11th annual Central Texas Bra Brunch Oct. 10 at the Cadence Expo Center.
“It’s always a lot of fun,” Temple native Chip Howell said about the event. “It’s good to see old and new friends spending time raising money for a cause that’s really worthy.
Howell, who owns Elephant in the Room Strategies, dressed as Olivia Newton John as he walked the catwalk during the ’80s Rockin’ Bras-themed event. All 17 participants dressed as ’80s rock icons.
Howell, who has participated for eight years, said he walks in honor of his dad, who is a breast cancer survivor.
“Most people don’t realize that men get breast cancer too, so I do this in honor of my dad and to get the word out,” Howell added. “Men, you need to check yourself as well.”
More than 300 people attended the Central Texas Bra Brunch, a fundraiser that puts local men up on stage to model custom designed bras that are bid on to raise money for breast cancer research.
As models dance around the stage with their custom-designed bras, audience members can stuff the contestants’ bras with money to raise even more money.
“My bra is based on the Poison song ‘Every Rose Has its Thorn,’” said Norman Northen, design manager at Precious Memories Florist & Gift Shop. “We are doing a total Bret Michaels theme. The big twist this year … is that I am walking the runway with my two grandsons.”
Northen’s grandsons, 2-year-old Walter Claycomb and 7-month-old Jack Claycomb, were dressed in leather jackets and red bandannas, reminiscent of Bret Michaels’ iconic look from the ’80s.
More than $50,000 was raised this year between tickets sales, the silent auction, the bra auction and bra stuffing. Combining the auction totals with the money stuffed in bras, Joey Smith from Omega Builder’s bra raised the most combined money at $3,359. Smith was dressed as Axl Rose, lead singer of Guns N’ Roses.
“It was absolutely wonderful,” Brook Fowler, the model chair of the Bra Brunch Committee, said about the event. “This was our best year yet.”
Tiffany Foxx, with Foxx Real Estate Group, said her mother-in-law is a breast cancer survivor, so she tries to support the event every year.
This was her eighth year in attendance and she said it’s always fun.
“This is near and dear to our hearts, so we definitely do what we can to support this,” Foxx said. “It’s always fun. It’s an adventure every time.”
