Palisadian Elyse Walker has built a reputation as a sharp stylist, buyer and boutique owner in the heart of Pacific Palisades. From her iconic storefront on Antioch St., which has quadrupled in size since opening in 1999, Walker dresses her clients from head to toe for occasions ranging from the soccer field to the boardroom to the red carpet.
In addition to balancing her luxury-shopping site ForwardbyElyseWalker.com, her new shoe collection Elyse Walker Los Angeles and her new line of Perfect Jackets, Walker devotes more than 400 hours annually to The Pink Party, which benefits the Cedars-Sinai Women’s Cancer Program at the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute.
Photo courtesy of the Lippin Group
Since the first Pink Party at the Viceroy Hotel in 2005, Walker and her team have raised more than $10 million to date.
“Every year this has grown, but the first year will always be the most memorable. It was all new and we had no expectations. We rolled out a pink carpet and didn’t even know if anyone was going to come. Our goal was to raise $100,000 and ultimately we raised $479,000,” Walker told the Post. “It was incredible – all these people came to support the cause and speak out on behalf of early detection. The first year was amazing; nothing like it.”
This year’s soirée at Santa Monica Airport will be the 10th and final annual celebration of women, fashion, friendship and life founded in honor of Walker’s mother, Barbara Feder who was diagnosed with stage-four ovarian cancer at the age of 40. Without the benefit of early detection or any of the numerous new therapies being tested today, the diagnosis was terminal and Walker’s mother passed away at the age of 42.
“When my mom got sick in the late ’80s, her doctors didn’t know anything about early detection. I’m not mad at the doctor, that’s just what was available at the time,” Walker said. “I hope that through The Pink Party and advances in science, we can continue to learn new treatments and remind people that early detection is still the number-one cure.”
Walker said that the cause is one that has affected so many lives, garnering support from men and women alike and drawing celebrity support form past event hosts such as Michelle Pfeiffer, Jessica Biel, Kate Beckinsale, Anne Hathaway and Palisadian Jennifer Garner, who will host again this year.
“Jennifer knows she was hugely inspirational in starting the first Pink Party and she has been an incredible supporter,” Walker said. “To have her host the final one is very special.”
Garner hosted a party at Walker’s shop 10 years ago, which generated $10,000 for women’s cancer research, it was the catalyst for what has evolved into one of the biggest, most highly anticipated Los Angeles fashion events of the year, featuring designers from Paris, New York and L.A.
“I would like this all to end on a super, super happy note. The Pink Party is coming to a close but we are going to celebrate that we will have raised more than $11 million for an incredible cause,” Walker said. “It’s been so great – we’ve raised money, we’ve raised awareness and we’re ending year 10 on a positive note. The doors are now open for the next person.”
The Pink Party will be Saturday, Oct. 18 at Santa Monica Airport. For tickets, visit pink-party.org/2014/home.
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