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A Cut Above Other Fundraisers
Mario Betto wants to change the world—one hairstyle at a time
by Jan Engoren on February 03, 2010
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Living large is what Mario Betto is all about.
No beauty school drop-out, Betto is a one-man—and sometimes woman—dynamo. He’s a hairstylist, theater producer, actor, songwriter, singer, director and part-time drag queen, whose alter ego is the sultry Miss Finesse. In addition to all of those hats, Betto wears another impressive chapeau—he is the founder of Hairstylists for Humanity, which raises money for a variety of social service agencies including homeless shelters, shelters for abused women, hospices for individuals living with HIV/AIDS, hospital oncology departments, children with special needs and seniors living on fixed incomes.
“Our focus is to educate and empower individuals who do not have the financial resources to improve their lives for themselves and their families via education,” says Betto. “Our mission is to send students to school to study hairstyling, facial and nail specialty courses. This opportunity can truly change one person’s life.”
Last year, Betto changed the direction of the foundation to focus more on education and to provide a scholarship fund for eligible individuals who do not have the financial resources to attain the education and licensing needed to become nail and facial specialists and cosmetologists at the Sheridan Technical School in Hollywood.
Thus was born Love is in the Hair, billed as a fashion show/entertainment extravaganza, featuring the diva herself, Miss Finesse. The event, which takes place Friday, February 12, will feature live music, wine tasting, female impersonators and a catwalk featuring the latest fashion from South Florida fashion designer, Maggie Steen.
Steen, a Florida native of Cuban descent, will put the fashion in the fashion show. She will debut her new collection called The Unveiling from her clothing line, Diva Gone Dharma.
The name Diva Gone Dharma, comes from Steen’s sensibility of clothes that are elegant and timeless, but not fussy. She is inspired by Roberto Cavalli’s edgy and figure-draping designs, as well as the classic timelessness of Donna Karan and Ralph Lauren.
“I met Mario when he was producing his musical, 'Combing Through Life's Tangles,'” says Steen. “He asked me to create the costumes for the production. I went to vintage thrift shops and bought old jackets and gowns. I took them home, cut them up and recreated them into something unique and fabulous. Mario loved them and offered me this opportunity to showcase my new line.”
Steen, who comes from a long line of seamstresses (her great-grandmother was a seamstress for the Grau Family in 1930s Cuba), has designed her own clothes from the time she was a teenager. A former real estate agent, she committed herself to fashion three years ago when the real estate market crashed.
“My line evolved organically through my life experiences,” Steen says. “I get my inspiration from my garden and the outdoors. I see new textures and colors all the time in my garden. Even the wind blowing through my backyard inspires me in new directions when draping fabric. My clothes are designed for women in warmer climates like Florida, with muted colors and sexy cuts, influenced by cutting edge European designs.”
Steen’s line will launch in the spring and will be available online and in selected boutiques.
Steen is delighted to be a part of Love is in the Hair.
“Mario is the most giving person I’ve ever met and he lives to help others. As busy as he always is - he has his hand in so many different projects - he always finds the time to do something for others.”
“I’m not special,” says Betto. “Everybody has the opportunity to give back in their field and make giving back part of their everyday life and being. If we don’t help each other, who will?”
The Love is in the Hair fundraiser will be held on Friday, February 12, 7:30 p.m., at the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood, 1650 Harrison Street, Hollywood. For more information, call (954) 921-3274 or visit www.hairstylistsforhumanity.org. A production of "Combing Through Life’s Tangles" runs March 6-14 at the Hollywood Playhouse. For more information, visit www.combingthroughlifestangles.com.
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i saw mario perform last night, friday, at the art and culture center. he was very impressive and does good work for charity. edithe greenberg
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edithe greenberg
