“;Sex and the City”; was never really about sex or the city of New York, where most of the stories take place. Friendships like those depicted in the TV series and now, feature films, happen in cities all over the world, and if women identify strongly with Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte, it's because of the sisterhood they represent.

It was in the spirit of sisterhood that Amanda Stevens watched the first “;Sex and the City”; movie in 2008 with six of her friends.

The strength of that bond was tested when one of her friends was later diagnosed with breast cancer. Stevens said she and another friend took turns holding their friend's hand during her first chemotherapy session, marveling at her strength and resiliency.

Wanting to do something more, Stevens could think of no greater gift than devoting a ladies night out party, fashion show and screening of “;Sex and the City 2”; to benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation, dedicated to eradicating breast cancer.

The “;Chic in the City”; event takes place tomorrow in the Dole Ballrooms and Theatres. Doors open at 7 p.m. for cocktails, pupu, a silent auction, giveaways and shopping with various vendors. There will be an 8 p.m. circus-themed fashion show featuring six designers — including Sierra Dew, Douglas Jago and Victorian circus designs by Erin Ludolph — leading up to the grand finale of the screening of the long-awaited film.

In planning the event, Stevens learned that TV's “;Next Top Model”; finalist, Anya Rozova of Waipahu, lost her grandmother to breast cancer. A self-professed nurturer, Rozova was more than willing to take up the cause and will be one of the models during the fashion show preceding the movie screening.

“;That brings us to today,”; Stevens said. “;(Rozova) had the humility to say, 'I'll do whatever you want me to do.' She's an international model but no one person is more important than another in putting this together.”;

Rozova said she's always been a nurturing person and that's what led her, as a child, to believe she'd like to be a veterinarian. She loves animals and when she was younger, had her heart set on becoming a veterinarian or nurse.

“;When I was young, I only saw the helping, caring part. When I learned I would have to cut them and   deal with blood, I was like, whoa. I couldn't deal with that.”;

She started modeling locally at about 15, and eventually became obsessed with the TV reality model search “;Next Top Model.”;

“;I talked about it all the time, so my mom said I should try out for it.”;

That thought had never crossed her mind.

“;I never saw myself going that far,”; Rozova said. “;It was such a huge deal, and not even realistic, but my mom broke it down into steps, as in go to the Internet, fill out the application and answer 60 pages of questions.

“;I had it all in a huge binder and filled out a little at a time over a week and a half. She said if I just did everything I was supposed to, the rest would be up to society. She told me not to worry about the things that I couldn't control.”;

Going in without expectations turned out to be a grounding, calming force. When she was called to an audition in L.A., she saw she was up against 2,000 equally beautiful girls, but she kept her cool. As far as she was concerned, it was just a fun trip.

“;It is what it is,”; she said. “;Every elimination week I was just happy to be there and I thought, 'I got this far, that's good enough for me.'

“;A lot of girls get dragged down by rejection. They say, 'Nobody likes me, nobody wants to hire me,' and this business can be cutthroat, but it's nothing personal. It's just not the look a company might need that day.”;

Now based in New York and under contract with Elite, her post-TV career has led her to do runway shows and catalogs for the likes of Tracy Reese, Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Calvin Klein. She says her girlfriends in New York help her feel grounded, and toward that end, she also stays in constant contact with her mom.

In our photo shoot for this feature, it was easy to see how Rozova became first runner-up in “;Next Top Model's”; 10th cycle at age 19. She's simply a natural and a joy to work with, slipping easily and fluidly from one pose to the next, with an innate understanding of how to use props and the flow and spirit of clothing.

“;I've always loved the camera, not in a vain way, but I like playing different characters,”; Rozova said. “;It's not about you — the model — but the clothes. Clothing are just pieces of cloth on a rack until you put it on and bring it to life, until you spin and jump in it. I think that's what the designers want to see, and I enjoy bringing their creations to life.

“;I can't really walk down the street in 10-inch heels, so it's like a being in a fantasy world where I can express myself.”;