Lauren Ward, a breast cancer survivor, recently walked in the Art Bra Austin charity fashion show in a bra made up of guitar picks from artists across the globe, including the legendary Willie Nelson.
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Art Bra Austin is an annual event in support of the Breast Cancer Resource Center. The center offers services for breast cancer survivors and those still fighting. This is Lauren's fourth year designing an art piece for the event.
This year Ward not only wanted to top her previous designs, but also come up with something someone would pay a lot of money for. Living in Austin, Ward thought the idea of a bra made of guitar picks would fit perfectly. Her design depicts the armor those fighting cancer shield themselves with.
While talking with the Austin American-Statesman, Ward says she had no idea how to go about collecting the picks, but she started with a post on Facebook. Within a few weeks, envelopes with picks were flooding in. Not only were local Austin musicians on board, but big-name musicians were into supporting the cause as well.
Ward received guitar picks representing more than 150 artists in 10 states and across 4 countries. Included in that list is Texas native, Willie Nelson. Nelson sent three green guitar picks for the piece. Other artists include Chris Daughtry, Pat Green and fellow breast cancer survivor, Melissa Ethridge.
The strikingly crafted piece was titled Cancer Picked The Wrong Girl. Ward's creation along with all others showing on the runway were auctioned off after the event. All proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Resource Center
This is the second time Ward has walked the runway in one of her own designs. Last year she wore another one of her creations consisting of 1,000 paper cranes folded by herself and her 3 children.
A full list of contributors for Cancer Picked The Wrong Girl are on Ward's blog.
