Fanshawe fashion students get creative for a great cause

The Re-vamped Fashion Show is going to showcase Fanshawe College's Fashion Design and Merchandising students' talent for a local charity in London on November 27 at the London Music Hall.

Fanshawe College Fashion Design and Fashion Merchandising students are working together to help showcase the fashion opportunities of Goodwill Industries. The students will showcase their designs with re-constructed forward fashion clothing donated from the second-hand store.

“The Re-vamped Fashion Show is produced by second year Merchandising students to raise money for My Sisters Place; a day shelter for women who are homeless or at the risk of becoming homeless. The centre provides programs for women in a safe and warm environment,” said Wendy Sperry, of the School of Art and Design at Fanshawe College.

My Sister's Place is a local charity that primarily focuses its energies on helping women who are either homeless or on their way to becoming homeless. The centre provides warm shelter, good food and resources for the women to manage to get back on their feet.

“Approximately we have just under 50 outfits…but we will have a final number as soon as the designs are finalized,” said Amanda Elliot, a Coordinator of Promotions at Fanshawe College.

“Goodwill donates the clothing and the fashion design and merchandising students revamp the clothing to make them fashion forward. There will be a panel of judges that will choose the top three outfits,” added Sperry.

According to Elliot, group ‘A' second-year students have been planning this show since roughly week three of this semester. Now nearing week 12 all of the preparations and plans need to be completed.

The centre currently serves between 50 and 70 women each and every day.

“This is the third year the students have produced this show,” Sperry said. “The first year we raised $4,500, last year we raised $8,000 and this year our goal is $10,000.”

Currently the centre is looking to the public to help and make donations for the women in our community.

Local businesses have also demonstrated warmth and care by providing goods and services that will be auctioned off following the fashion show in the evening.

“The silent auction is held in the evening show. All proceeds go to My Sisters Place. The donations come from community businesses that are willing to support the event,” said Sperry.

Women who are in need of assistance rely on places like My Sisters Place for a safe and warm environment that is free of judgment.

Sperry said the raised funds will go towards helping extend the hours of My Sister's Place, which currently is open from 10 am to 3 pm.

“…This leaves many hours before overnight facilities open. Evening facilities do not open until 9 pm,” said Sperry. “This gives students a chance to give back to the community and brings awareness and support for My Sisters Place.”

“The students and myself are thrilled and cannot wait to see the turnout of the event. We have had such a busy and hectic semester to date that this is something we have all waited for and worked very hard at. We all just hope it is going to be a very successful event,” added Elliot.

According to Goodwill Industries, proceeds from tickets sold for the show, go towards My Sisters Place, a service of WOTCH Community Mental health Services, which provides practical and emotional supports and community resources to women at risk in our community.

Doors for the show open at 7 pm and the show begins at 8 pm.
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