Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show 2017

Quincy Jones has a motto: “Love, Laugh, Live and Give.”

No better words to describe the huge and glorious fundraiser to benefit the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, where a sold-out crowd of 1,300 people raised more than $2.5 million to give to the Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome and the Sie Center for Down Syndrome. This astounding figure didn’t even include a $1 million gift from the Salah Foundation, announced by Noreen Salah Burpee.

But what makes this event so much fun and memorable are the models, who are completely uninhibited and brimming with happiness and creativity on the runway. The show was the culmination of a magical evening in which the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award was given to Madeline Stuart and actress Eva Longoria. “How fitting that the Quincy Jones award was given by Quincy Jones,” remarked co-emcee Tom Green–and it was good to see Mr. Jones back on the Denver stage.

Michelle Sie Whitten, president and CEO of the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, is a tireless advocate for improving the lives of those with Down Syndrome, and she surrounds herself with the best in the medical, political, business, community and family fields who have the same goal in mind. Yes, Michelle and all those involved, you get an A+ for this evening.