Fashion fundraiser fills Trust pockets

 

BY JULIA WADE


A fashion event of international standards entertained a large number of Mangawhai women recently, the glamourous cat walk show also raising thousands of cash for a respected local advocacy organisation. 

Presented by The Mangawhai Club and brought to the runway by local boutique Shizazz, the fashion show from international brand Joseph Ribkoff (JR) attracted 150 women to the Club on November 28. The matinee event was not all about the season’s newest styles however, as proceeds from ticket sales and raffles raised more than $3000 for Mangawhai’s social advocacy organisation, Te Whai Charitable Trust.

Daughter of Shizazz owner Jasmyne Hodder and JR NZ sales representative Abbey Lee was emcee, introducing JR’s new summer 2020 collection with a ‘Hello Sunshine’. “The season palette reflects summer in all of its glory with sunshine shades… fabrics are light and effortless... sleeves flutter and dresses and pants flow.”

Besides the ten sashaying models from both Mangawhai and Whangarei posing the new season’s wear, the crowd were entertained by vibrant local belly dancer Farah, owner of Farah’s Kitchen in Wood Street shopping centre, and live music by North Shore musician Sandy Banner-Martin.

Spot prizes and raffles with a range of prizes including gift vouchers for Shizazz were all on offer, and every woman also received a JR goody bag containing beauty products, samples, fashion scarves and discount tickets for Shizazz store items.

Te Whai secretary Sue Poynter says the advocacy group is delighted to have been chosen as recipients of the fashion fundraiser. “We’re very grateful to the Club for giving back the proceeds to the Mangawhai community,” she says “The money will help fund our Aroha Baskets, Christmas food parcels that we distribute to families in the Mangawhai area to ensure that every whanau has food on the table at Christmas time, and every child receives a gift.”

November’s event is the fourth fashion fundraiser the Club has organised and manager Tina Price says it was ‘definitely the best one yet’. “Although we had slightly less numbers the day went off better, I guess we have it down pat now,” she says. “Everyone seemed to have a great time and ended up dancing with a lot of the women staying until the evening. I’m very grateful for everyone who came to support Te Whai.”