Winners of a magazine's charity fashion show, Tarpon Springs High School students net $4,600 to help build an Ethiopian school library.
By JANE MADDEN WELCH
Published November 29, 2005
TARPON SPRINGS - Think fashion and think of beautiful - but expensive - clothing displayed in a beautiful - but expensive - setting.
But sometimes, the money doesn't end at the runway, nor does the runway have to be in New York or Milan. A recent fashion show at Tarpon Springs High School showed that sometimes, beauty can also be a good cause.
The event on Nov. 17 started with an essay junior Lauren Felix wrote for ELLEgirl magazine on why her high school would be the best place to hold a charity fashion show.
Her winning essay gave her and 55 fellow classmates the chance to strut their stuff at the school's auditorium, courtesy of ELLEgirl, which furnished the musicians, stylists, makeup artists and photographers - all local - as well as 10 trunks and 12 boxes of the latest clothing styles by various designers.
Lauren, 16, said she was surprised when ELLEgirl called to tell her she'd won. "This is a big thrill," she said.
Tarpon Springs High School is the 14th academic facility chosen by ELLEgirl editors to host "Fashion for a Cause," a program created by students to benefit other adolescents in need.
"We're looking for students who see the big picture and recognize the charity element," said ELLEgirl events coordinator Sara Shenasky. "We look for enthusiasm and caring."
Through the magazine and its Web site, students were invited to nominate their school for the event, which has raised more than $55,000 since it began in 2002. This year, two colleges and two high schools were selected.
The event at Tarpon Springs High raised funds to create a library at Watchamo School No. 3 in Hosanna, Ethiopia. It is the second ELLEgirl fundraiser to support that library, a project estimated to cost $17,300 - 25 percent to be paid for by the government of Hosanna.
Shenasky, associate events manager Meredith Hellman and two fashion stylists flew down from New York for several days to oversee the project.
ELLEgirl stylists selected outfits for the students, as well as makeup and hairstyle suggestions. The day before the event, fittings were made during a run-through of the modeling portion of the program.
Lauren didn't have much trouble finding volunteer models for the event, which was promoted as "a sneak peek at the hottest clothes ... modeled by Tarpon Springs High School's most stylish student bodies."
She enlisted the help of her classmates, including more than a dozen young men.
"I told them to be open," Lauren said. "It might not be something you'd normally wear, but have fun with it."
Eleventh-grader Mark Bannon, 16, wore an Energie shirt, Hanes thermal undershirt and DKNY sweatpants. "When she told me "I need guys,' I said sure," he said.
For senior Jenny Dudas-Szabo, 17, "Fashion for a Cause" combined two of her major interests: fashion and charity. She started an Amnesty International school group focusing on human rights, but also hopes for a future in fashion. She modeled an Andrew & Co. jacket, Blue Plate blouse, and United Colors of Benetton skirt.
"It's amazing they're putting together fashion and charity," she said. "I really wanted to be a part of it."
Junior Gladymar Hernandez, 17, modeled a Calvin Klein and Ben Sherman ensemble. She said the fashion show was an opportunity to show off a little, but more importantly, it was a chance "to do something fun for a good reason."
Audience response was enthusiastic as the students sashayed down the runway, pausing for the requisite three seconds for their camera shot while the music pumped throughout the auditorium.
There were door prizes and goodie bags for audience members, as well as minimakeovers for students and staff, courtesy of Maybelline New York, the event co-sponsor.
"We spent not one dime," said social studies teacher Elaine Vinson, an adviser for the benefit. "(ELLEgirl) took care of everything. They've been very professional."
The event raised $4,600, all of which will benefit the school in Ethiopia. "(That) is the most money raised of the four events we had this year," Hellman said.
Photos and a description of "Fashion for a Cause" will be featured in the March issue of ELLEgirl.
