September 27, 2007

Designers Brian Wolk and Claude Morais Will Present Ruffian Collection at Fundraising Event for Van Andel Institute

Grand Rapids, MI (September 26, 2007) – New York fashion designers Brian Wolk and Claude Morais will present their Spring / Summer 2008 Ruffian collection at the second annual Couture for a Cure event at Van Andel Institute (VAI) on Friday, October 12. The event is hosted by Leigh’s clothing store and VAI. Proceeds from the event will benefit research and science education at VAI.

“We’re excited to continue the partnership between Leigh’s and VAI to raise funds for very important research,” said Rebecca Wierda, president at Leigh’s. Wierda said she is also excited to present the best of Leigh’s fall fashions at the event.

The event will begin with lunch at 11:30 a.m., followed by the fashion presentation from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. There will also be a raffle for a pin designed exclusively for the event by Michael Hoffman, president and CEO of Hoffman Jewelers, official event jeweler for VAI. The pin is valued at $4,000.

Attendees will also be able to network with attendees and meet Wolk and Morais. Tickets cost $50 each; the public is invited to register for tickets by calling Sarah Lamb, event coordinator at Van Andel Institute, at 616-234-5712 or by using the online form on the VAI web site: www.vai.org.

Wolk and Morais began the fashion label Ruffian four years ago and were recently awarded The Fashion Group International Rising Star Award. Their clothing and accessories have appeared on such celebrities as Kirsten Dunst, Cate Blanchett, Kate Moss, Mischa Barton, Little Kim, Maggie Gyllenhaal and socialites from New York to Moscow including Olivia Palermo, Byrdie Bell and Amanda Hearst.

“Their style is very classic with a high fashion twist,” said Patrick Plank, creative director at Leigh’s. “They really understand the Grand Rapids customer, and the community has really embraced them.” Plank said that Couture for a Cure is one of only two personal appearances Wolk and Morais will be making this season.

Huntington Bank is the title sponsor for the event. Organizations interested in becoming an event sponsor are invited to call 616-234-5712. Approximately 75 guests attended the event in 2006. Van Andel Institute is located at 333 Bostwick Ave. NE.

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Established by Jay and Betty Van Andel  in 1996, Van Andel Institute is an independent research organization dedicated to preserving, enhancing and expanding the frontiers of medical science, and to achieving excellence in education by probing fundamental issues of education and the learning process.