Junior Society of Ballet Hispanico DANCE INTO FASHION Benefit Raises More than $60,000

The Junior Society of Ballet Hispanico, the nation's premier Latino dance organization, hosted its annual Junior Society Benefit, Dance Into Fashion, at The Jane Ballroom on Thursday, October 18, 2012 at 8pm. The wildly successful evening included over 200 guests and raised $60,000.

The evening showcased the work of Cushnie et Ochs modeled by the Ballet Hispanico company dancersin a unique presentation choreographed by Artistic Director Eduardo Vilaro.

The evening also featured a fully sponsored open bar, hors d'oeuvres courtesy of E Squared Hospitality, desserts courtesy of Julie Elkind, and an exclusive silent auction, with music by DJ Cory Kennedy.

Dance Into Fashion was headed by Junior Society Co-Chairs Paul Arnhold and Janna Raskopf, Hosts Hannah Bronfman, Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs, and the Ballet Hispanico Junior Society Steering Committee and Benefit Committee. Notable guests included Michele Cabruso-Cabrera, Alessandra Codinha, Kelly Connor, Carly Cushnie, Carolyna De Laurentiis, Jennifer Fisher, Julia Dimon, Sophie Elgort, Jesse Della Femina, Claire Distenfeld, Wes Gordon, Molly Howard, Joey Lico, Michelle Ochs, Sophie Pera, and Samantha Perelman, among others. Event Partners: Cushnie et Ochs (designer), Jane Hotel (venue), Chatham Imports (liquor), E Squared Hospitality and Julie Elkind (catering).

All proceeds benefit Ballet Hispanico's Education & Outreach program, which provides 1,500 underserved NYC public school children per year with learning experiences that respect their individuality while enhancing their creativity, physical health, and cultural awareness.

Celebrating 42 years of dance and culture, Ballet Hispanico is recognized as the nation's preeminent Latino dance organization. Led by Artistic Director Eduardo Vilaro, Ballet Hispanico explores, preserves and celebrates today's Latino cultures through innovative artistic collaborations, world class dance training and national education and outreach programs. For more information, visit www.ballethispanico.org. Follow Ballet Hispanico on Facebook and Twitter.

Launched in the fall of 2007, the Junior Society of Ballet Hispanico includes young professionals between the ages of 21 - 35 who care about dance and Latino culture and support Ballet Hispanico's education programs. Professions represented in this group include real estate, marketing, fashion, finance, entertainment, advertising, and more. All proceeds from each Junior Society event benefit Ballet Hispanico's Education & Outreach program.

Since Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs launched CUSHNIE ET OCHS with the Spring 2009 collection, the brand has received the 2009 Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation Award, finalists for the 2010 Fashion Group International Rising Star Awards and currently top ten finalists for the 2011 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. CUSHNIE ET OCHS is sold in the most exclusive boutiques worldwide, has been featured in Vogue and W magazine as the New Guard, and has garnered numerous credits in leading publications.