Page 35 - The Holiday Issue San Diego Woman Magazine

INCREDIBLE KIDS OF SAN DIEGO

huge smiles, all excited to hit onto the stage, and we stood
the runway, and all with a sin- on the runway as everyone ad-
gle mission, to raise awareness mired the outfits and designs
and funding! one last time. Once all the
The show began. The show cheering silenced, Liz begins
started off by five of the most to speak. Liz shared her story
gorgeous pieces of the couture of becoming a designer and
line designed by Liz Nieves, the how she came to starting Ilo
founder, and owner of Ilo Gear. Gear. As Liz speaks, she holds
My turn to take the runway hands with one of her biggest
was about to come up, and I inspirations and the influence
was more excited than ever. I for starting the fashion show,
had been waiting for this mo- Bella. The organization the
ment for so long, and it finally fashion show is funding for
came. I was hearing cheers and raising money and aware-
and hollers as each model ness for is Live Like Bella, and
walked the runway. When the Bella, a little girl, diagnosed
girl before me walked onto with pediatric cancer, was with
the runway, I peer out from us that night holding hands
backstage. I saw cameras flash- with Liz as Liz pours out her
ing and lots of people with heart and soul to the audience.
smiles on their faces admiring This is what makes my soul
the beautiful pieces. Now it happy, tons of other dancers
was finally my turn. When I and models coming together
walked out onto the runway, as one and raising money and
a big smile stretched over my awareness for a good cause,
face. I was so excited to walk pediatric cancer. The feeling
down the runway knowing you get surrounded by so
that I'm helping kids with many other people sharing the
pediatric cancer while showing same love and passion as you
off the beautiful designs of and coming together to fight
Liz Nieves, Ilo Gear. I walked for something we believe in. At
all the way to the end of the the end of the fashion show,
runway and hit three poses as one of the videographers from
photographers and guests in the night wanted to interview
the audience snapped pictures me, and he asked me what my
of the beautiful designs by favorite part of the night was,
Liz. Then, I walked back to my answer was, the people. I
the start of the runway, hit a loved being surrounded the
pose, and left the runway. As whole night with amazing,
soon as I got off the runway, inspiring dancers and models
I had to quickly get into my and being able to meet Bella,
next outfit and get back into the pediatric cancer fighter
sequence. My first outfit was and purpose behind the orga-
a sequined red unitard, and nization, Live Like Bella. She
then I was changing into a chic put a huge smile on my face
plaid and black leotard. My when I met her, she had an up-
second outfit was my favorite. beat personality, and she was
Ever since my eyes laid sight so joyful. This is why I traveled
on the plaid and black leotard, backstage again and changed then left the stage right before thousands of miles all the way
I knew I wanted to wear it. into my next and final outfit, the finale. As soon as the final to Miami, to gather, to con-
Now I had the chance to wear a beautiful purple leotard. I model exited the stage from nect, and to share the same
the leotard and walk down the walked down the runway hear- her last walk down the runway, passion with so many other
runway showing it's gorgeous ing clicks from everyone taking all the models held hands inspiring dancers and models.
design. After I walked up and pictures, and hearing cheers together and walked down Ultimately, we all came togeth-
down the runway in the plaid and claps for the amazing de- the runway all together, as one er as one family to support and
and black leotard, I headed sign. I hit a pose one last time family. All the models and I fit fight pediatric cancer.

35