CREDIT: JAZZ IT UP
Polished and picture perfect: experience the timeless style of the 1920s at this year’s Jazz It Up fundraising fashion gala.

It don't mean a thing if you ain't got that swing, so swing on by to Fanshawe's second-year Fashion Merchandising fundraising fashion gala, Jazz It Up!

Beginning at 7 p.m. on November 22 at the Goodwill Building (255 Horton St. E.), the event is entirely produced by second- year Fashion Merchandising students in partnership with My Sister's Place and Goodwill Industries. Featuring classic tunes from the era, boas and headpieces galore and, of course, a healthy flow of cocktails throughout the night, it's an event you won't want to miss. Attendees are encouraged to show their style and dress up in chic attire from the '20s and '30s.

“This is the eighth year that we've done this particular show with My Sister's Place,” said Fashion Merchandising Instructor Wendy Sperry. “When we first started the show, My Sister's Place had no funding and was being threatened [with closure]. So we rose to the occasion and started raising money.”

One program that the annual fashion show regularly recognizes is the My Sister's Place Micro Enterprise Program, where clients learn transferable skills by creating and selling pieces of handcrafted jewellery.

“Twenty per cent of the [jewellery] sales go towards the program, while the 80 per cent acts as a source of income for [the women],” said Sperry. “Given that the majority of our students are female, I think it's a good organization for us to partner with.”

Jewellery lovers can expect to see staple pieces from the Micro Enterprise Program on display and for sale at Jazz It Up.

Second-year Fashion Merchandising student and one of the event planning producers for the night Emmalisa Veltri said guests can expect more than just a fashion show.

“There will be a series of dancers doing dances from the '20s and '30s between acts which will also include the audience,” said Veltri. “With the dancing, we wanted to keep the mood light, because the '20s and '30s were all about partying, being around friends and being happy, and we wanted to bring that same energy to the fashion show.”

Without many realizing it, Goodwill Industries played a major role in deciding which outfits should walk the runway. With a set of design principles outlined by the fashion program (including preferred textures and colours suitable for the event), Goodwill was responsible for selecting garments while the students took care of the rest.

“Yes, [the event's] about raising money, and yes it's about revamping the clothes donated by Goodwill ... but with this fashion show, we want to influence people to not only donate, but to realize that there's more to fashion than just what's in the bigger stores and that we satisfy any customer by going to Goodwill.”

In a society so heavily influenced by “brand-new-brand names,” the event hopes to breathe some fresh air into some classic pieces.

Tickets to Jazz It Up an be purchased for $45 online at mysistersplacelondon.ca. All proceeds from the event will be donated to support the My Sister's Place, a local organization that aids women facing or at risk of homelessness. For more information on the event, contact Elizabeth Oakley at eoakley@fanshawec.ca.

Kick up your heels, laugh and dance along flappers and fashion students, and take a step back into the 1920s. It's sure to be a roaring good time!