Show Time

Macy's Passport fashion show has a way of bringing together surprising combinations that rarely share a stage. Last year, for instance, it was rapper Diddy, fiery hoops, and a trotting show horse. This year, Dita Von Teese, unicycle stunt riders, a troupe of Ugandan dancers, and Calvin Klein underwear models all took to the runway in the name of raising money for AIDS research and care at the 25th anniversary event at Santa Monica Airport's Barker Hangar on Thursday. Macy's Larry Hashbarger oversaw the production of the show, and Macy's David Miranda oversaw the evening's party.

A big-top-themed party preceded the main event in an adjacent tent (which reopened at the end of the night for a dessert reception). Cirque du Soleil entertainers performed on stage, and models painted like circus animals writhed in cages and along the floor, interacting with guests as they sampled food from such local eateries as Republic and Angelini Osteria. Along Came Mary set up what at first glance appeared to be a sundae bar, but cubes of white cake replaced ice cream in the standard equation. The bars closed promptly at 7:30 to encourage guests to move next door to the hangar for the live auction and fashion show.Before the start of the show in the hangar, Passport founding chairwoman Elizabeth Taylor addressed the crowd of 2,000 and accepted a humanitarian award for her work against the disease. Once the speeches were over and the show began, it was a nonstop spectacle of models, entertainers, and elaborate set pieces, topping out at more than 70 minutes. Highlights included a dance performance by AIDS-orphaned children from the song and dance troupe Spirit of Uganda (part of the nonprofit group Empower African Children), who later joined a group of American children for an energetic African-dance-meets-breakdancing performance. Burlesquer Von Teese closed the fashion show with a performance executed in a silver getup (which dwindled as she danced) decked with 200,000 Swarovski crystals.

Since its inception, Passport has raised $27 million for HIV/AIDS services, prevention, and research, including $2 million from this year's events in Los Angeles and San Francisco (on September 19), the home of the retailer's West Coast corporate headquarters.

Disclosure: This writer, our West Coast bureau chief, once worked in Macy’s West's communications department with some of the folks who worked on this event.