Booze, babes, bikinis and Bay Street dudes all seem to go hand-in-hand, right?
Well, it was all to be found at EFS last night for the Joe’s Team Dare-to-Bare Third Annual Swimsuit Fashion Show.
Hosted by Dare-to-Bare co-founders Joann Head and Genevieve Roch Decter, along with Taya Day, the YP-filled event raises funds for the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.
First and foremost, who’s Joe? Joe Finley was diagnosed with cancer in 2006 and decided to create an event to raise funds for cancer research –the Joe’s Team Triathlon. Since its inception, Joe’s Team has raised over $9 million for the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. Having both signed up to compete the triathlon in 2012, Head and Roch Decter created Dare-to-Bare to contribute funds to the Princess Margaret Foundation via the Joe’s Team Triathlon and have since completed the triathlon two years running.
The Dare-to-Bare guest list consisted of a mixed bag of young professionals and ages, but judging from the crowd, good looks and accompanying style seemed to be a prerequisite. Speaking of looks, former Bachelor star come current NFL commentator Jesse Palmer stopped by with a few buddies fresh from a day of filming for Food Network Canada’s Recipe to Riches.
Held right after work on a Wednesday (doors opened at 5pm), the event showed that charity events don’t need to be over-the-top to draw a good crowd and to serve its purpose: to raise money. With no crazy added frills (aside from maybe on the bikini bottoms) like food or an open bar, the event worked just fine with only some eye candy, a good crowd, and dedication to a cause that’s affected us all in some way.
It also showed that a charity event doesn’t need to drag into the wee hours of the evening. Or break the bank. The refreshing ticket price of $55 made it accessible compared to other Toronto events with $150-plus price tags and totally fine if you could only stop by for one drink (it was the Wednesday after Canada Day, after all).
Of course the highlight of the evening was the fashion show. A selection of easy-on-the-eyes females in itty-bitty bikinis graced the centre runway… and there was something for everyone, whether you have a thing for brunettes or blondes, curvy or more waif-like. They modelled bright and colourful (and some very pink) bikinis from Dea Fashion.
Post-show, the looming rain held off and the party headed upstairs to the EFS rooftop. We suspect some of the guests (bottle service finance guys, we’re looking at you) stayed in time to see the evening club crowd file in.
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