October is breast cancer awareness month, and while many Boulder organizations are doing their part to raise awareness, local beauty salon The Urban Pearl has gone one step further – burlesque style.
On Sunday night at Trilogy Wine Bar and Lounge, at 2017 13th St., The Urban Pearl presented “Hell Bent, Heaven Sent,” a burlesque, rockabilly, and 1950s culture extravaganza. Included in the festivities were live music, burlesque dancing, a pin-up model contest and a rockabilly-themed fashion show.
“Rockabilly and vintage clothes is a very hot sub-culture right now,” said Masyn Moyer, who owns The Urban Pearl at 1537 Pearl St. “It is the epitome of everything lost in our society today – the men are working class men with integrity and honor, and the women are women.”
Proceeds from the event will be donated to the breast cancer care division of the Boulder Community Hospital Foundation, which helps fund mammograms for low-income women.
Chloe Klein, who works at The Urban Pearl, originally conceived the idea of doing an event for breast cancer awareness month.
“It’s a cause that affects everybody,” said Klein, whose aunt recently underwent treatment for breast cancer. “Not just people far away, but next door neighbors and co-workers. It’s a great way to raise awareness.”
Following a set from local rockabilly band The Culhanes, the lights were dimmed for the fashion show. To a soundtrack of slow, sultry tunes, nearly 30 models strutted their stuff, dressed in everything from fishnet stockings to poodle skirts. Boss Unlimited, a Denver store that specializes in second-hand vintage wear, provided the outfits.
The models were chosen from a group of nearly 100 people who responded to ads on Myspace.com, as well as flyers that Moyer posted around town.
Dida Osbourne, who modeled a risqu