IRVINE, California, Nov. 4, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — “There’s a part of me that can’t believe I actually did it—well, ok, most of me,” states Dianne Ippolito, a Stark client for over four years and a Working Wardrobes’ board member. “I love what Stark has done for me, and I love what Working Wardrobes stands for. I thought, these are two great organizations with shared values and a passion for giving…why not bring them together to support a great cause.”
Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151102/283002
Ippolito confides that she didn’t actually take all of her clothes off in front of the camera, but she is visibly nervous, having never done anything like showing off her body for a camera. In fact, with the exception of a couple of Stark’s staff, there are no professionals in the group—professional models, that is. Stark clients are made up of some of the most influential business leaders in Orange County; mostly CEO’s and entrepreneurs.
“Asking them [clients] to go through the process of a fitness model for a photo shoot with the end game being an actual photo shoot, gave me some funny responses like nervous laughter, resounding ‘no’s,’ and ‘you’ve got to be kidding,” says Todd Vande Hei, Co-Founder and President. “When I threw in the word ‘Naked,’ that’s when most backed out.” Vande Hei states that he was the only one to go naked in the first competition, then a couple in the second, then a few in the next. This time, depending on the pictures selected by the contestants, there may be many more.
This is the fourth Stark Naked Challenge, but the first with Working Wardrobes. Vande Hei and the Stark Team are passionate about the charity’s mission of getting men, women, young adults and Veterans back to work, with dignity.
“Partnering with Stark has been a wonderful experience,” states Jerri Rosen, Founder and CEO of Working Wardrobes. We so appreciate companies, and board members like Dianne Ippolito, that go beyond the limit to help us support people who are facing the difficult challenges that our clients are going through. To bring humor, fun and the absence of clothing (!) to the opportunity to raise money for us is fantastic. We look for to an ongoing partnership with Stark and their very generous and well-toned clients.”
This year’s challenge includes twenty clients whose pictures will be posted here for voting: http://StarkNakedChallenge.com. The images won’t be ready until Mid-November, with the contest running for three weeks. The winner will be calculated with points earned in three categories: peer votes, public votes, and funds raised for Working Wardrobes, with the images linked to a site for donations. It’s like getting sponsored for a charity walk or a run, but instead it’s a three-month, hard-core diet and training regimen to prepare you for a photo shoot.
To kick off the contest, Stark is holding a party called “Stark After Dark” on November 6th at 7 PM, at the businesses location: 17524 Von Karman Avenue, Irvine. The media is invited and can RSVP here: http://evite.me/B4W6rEknk7. There will be food, drinks, and maybe even a naked guitar player.
