15 Years of Hope Gala

Dr. Cristina Sadowsky, 55, had a reputation to uphold at the “15 Years of Hope Gala.” As clinical director of International Center of Spinal Cord Injury at Kennedy Krieger Institute (and assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine), Sadowsky is not only known as one of the driving forces behind the Center, but as one of its fashion plates, as well.

Sadowsky said her love of fashion developed as she was growing up in her native Romania.

“I didn’t like to wear the clothes that were in the stores because they were all similar. Remember it was a communist country [back then], so it was like a uniform. Because I didn’t like the uniformity, I started making stuff for myself, knitting outfits for myself. [Then] my mom and I would buy colorful material and be creative and unique,” she said.

When the Canton resident immigrated to the U.S. in 1990, a whole new world of fashion opened up for her. “My style exploded because I had so many more choices,” she said. Sadowsky said she continues to have fun with her fashion, including the outfits she wears to work. While she said she does wear her white coat on top, it’s always open to show off her “fun and flirty, romantic and happy” style underneath — something her colleagues and patients look forward to.

“I dress up for my patients as well as myself. I have patients who take bets on what color shoes I’m going to wear or how high my heels are going to be,” she said, with a laugh.

HER ENSEMBLE: Alexis orange and cream print dress from gilt.com. Franco Sarto orange suede heels from ruelala.com. Champagne satin clutch from the now-closed Caché. Purple glass and copper wire “Tree of Life” pendant by Elizabeth Spencer. Copper abstract earrings that were a gift.