Eric Alt Salon helps raise money for local shelter

Posted in: Charity Environment Events on November 2, 2010 at 9:51 pm |

Eric Alt, owner of the salon and organizer of the event, walks the red carpet as did his celebrity guests.

By Jennifer Vazquez
Reporter
WOOD-RIDGE — Passing by the Eric Alt Salon at 219 Valley Blvd. in Wood-Ridge on Thursday, Oct. 28, one could have mistaken the well-known business for the setting of a Hollywood premiere. A red carpet lined the salon where celebrities made their way into an exclusive Halloween party. Danielle Staub of “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” was dressed as a sexy cat, while Olympic figure skater and Lyndhurst resident Johnny Weir wore tattered leather. Cruella de Vil showed up, as did a few naked cow-folk.

Danielle Staub of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" parties at Eric Alt Salon in Wood-Ridge to raise money for Strengthen Our Sisters.

Though at first glance the event was full of music, costumes, cocktails, pictures, interviews, fans and all that comes with a Hollywood social affair, the night had a greater purpose: to raise money for Strengthen Our Sisters, a New Jersey shelter for homeless, battered women and their children.
Hosting this event was a no-brainer for Alt, whose idea for planning a Halloween party quickly turned into a night benefiting SOS.

“It started off as just a Halloween party,” Alt said. “But just a week earlier I was filming with Danielle Staub … and we were filming (a music video) at a battered women’s shelter. We realized just how much people were in need of funding and donations. … So why not turn (the party) into a fund-raiser and get people to donate money toward the shelter and see if we can help them? They are really in need.”

The Naked Cowboy and Naked Cowgirl, frequenters of Times Square, enjoy the festivities.

Staub and Weir, two of Alt’s friends and most frequent clients, were among the large crowd that turned out for the event. They were joined by the likes of the Naked Cowboy and his ever faithful companion, the Naked Cowgirl. Models in ornate body paint were present, as well as a performer who spun makeshift torches for the assembled crowd.

The three-hour party, which had a suggested donation of $25, garnered approximately $2,000 for SOS. Alt said that donations were still coming in and a concrete tally of the amount raised was not available as of press time. “As of right now, we are upward of about $2,000,” Alt said. “We are still taking donations and some people have gone ahead and donated directly to the shelter. … People can go right to the Web site to help. They can help with clothing, or food, or money, which is the most needed thing at this time.”

Alt also pointed out that purchases from Staub’s new music video, which premiered at the Halloween party, will benefit Strengthen Our Sisters.
As pleased as Alt was with the evening, he is already eager to do another event of this kind to further help a charitable cause. He hopes to make this Halloween party an annual fixture. “This is definitely something I would like to continue,” Alt said.

Alt is a creative hairstylist, colorist and entrepreneur who operates two salons (besides Wood-Ridge, Saddle River is his other location) In addition,  Alt Hair Products, which launched this past January, can be purchased at select locations nationwide.

Originally a makeup artist, Alt expanded his work to hair styling and coloring. He apprenticed at Vidal Sassoon and coloring at Bumble & Bumble. He is also a frequent stylist for editorial shoots and fashion shows, including Fashion Week in New York City.

If you would like to donate or get more information on Strengthen Our Sisters, visit www.strengthenoursisters.org. Visit www.ericaltsalon.com for more information on the salon.
E-mail JVazquez@LeaderNewspapers.net

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