Fashion Forward

Style and flair at the annual Development Fashion Show

Once a year, Clouston Hall hosts St Cuthbert’s most stylish event, the annual Development Committee’s Fashion show in collaboration with Auckland Grammar. This year, the ‘Date Night’ theme was brought to life thanks to a number of incredible sponsors who included Ruby, Rodd and Gunn, iLabb, With Love Bean, Thread Rentals, 3 Wise Men, You Know and Stella Claire.

We sat down with Hannah Williams and Brooke Thompson from the Development Committee to get the behind the scenes scoop on another successful fashion show.

How did you choose the theme ‘Date Night’?

Hannah: The Development committee and I chose the theme ‘Date Night’ because we believed it was an engaging and exciting theme that incorporated both males and females in the show.

How did you bring the theme to life?

Hannah: We brought the theme to life in a variety of ways. Firstly, within the show, our production team designed the set with a range of props related to going out on a date. This included our flower arches, draping vines and roses. In our marketing campaigns, such as our posters and marketing video, we incorporated ideas such as Love Island to further represent the idea of date night. During the show, our female models handed our male models a rose to signify the date night theme and to show our thanks.

What did you love about the fashion brands that you worked with?

Hannah: One of the main things that we loved was all the generosity and support. All of the brands demonstrated their willingness to help ensure the event was successful by supplying a vast range of clothing which catered to our particular needs. They also helped take time out of their schedule to organise fittings and design outfit combinations for each

model. We also really loved the way many of the brands were so supportive in coming along to the event.

What skills did you learn and strengthen whilst planning the show?

Hannah: I strengthened my skills in leadership, organisation and management. I also learned marketing skills, ultimately securing an audience of approximately 250 paying students.

How did you plan and prepare for the event?

Brooke: The preparation for the event was fairly extensive. As we got closer to the fashion show there were more things we realised that we needed to plan for, for example how the music and lighting would line up with the models. We had to create a promotional video which included writing scripts, planning, filming it, and editing. We had to attend fittings with the models, pick up the clothes, make up the goodie bags, and set up the stage.

How did the Auckland Grammar boys contribute to the show?

Brooke: The Auckland Grammar boys were a prominent part of the fashion show. They contributed by being in the promotional video, they all turned up to their clothing fittings and the dress rehearsal, the MCs got familiar with their lines, and then they pulled it all off on the day, with their amazing confidence walking down the cat walk!

What were your biggest learnings from the event?

Brooke: Our biggest lesson was that it is never too early to start planning! At the beginning of the year, we thought it was too early to start asking brands but, in reality, the fashion show was a lot closer then we realised. We also learnt that it would all work out in the end so we had to make sure we enjoyed the process!

What would you like to see in next year’s show?

Brooke: I would love to see next year’s fashion show be even longer! I know this year that a lot of students walked away wanting more! To do this, it we would need to have a wider range of clothing brands and types. It would be super cool to see different clothes from different cultures represented in the fashion show!

From the planning to the final bows, what was your highlight of the event?

Brooke: Our highlight of the event was all of the smiles, especially on the day! It was amazing to see everyone come together to create such an amazing event all while enjoying it and having fun. Another highlight was to see how generous brands can be in supporting St Cuthbert’s College and the Young Achievers’ Fund.

We’d like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who supplied clothes for the event and to everyone who donated prizes (Prescription Skincare, Ruby, Whittaker’s, Superette, Epsom Spray Tan, Eco Store, Monday, Dose & Co, The Remarkable Chocolate Company, Indigo and Iris, Ethique, Lewis Road Creamery, Tip Top, Antipodes and With Love Bean.)