Manchester Charity Fashion Show, a new student-led initiative at the University of Manchester, is searching for plus size models for its fashion show later this month. Profits from the event will go to Lifeshare, a Manchester-based organisation that provides essential aid to the city’s rough sleepers.
The fashion show will take place in Academy 2 on March 31st. The theme of the event is The City, a celebration of 80s and 90s ‘Madchester’ culture. It will showcase graduate designers from up and down the UK, as well as photographs from some of Manchester’s up and coming photographers, depicting the city in their own unique way. Some of the country’s finest young talent will be exhibited at the show, Fuse FM DJs will be playing throughout the night and the VIP pre-party [sponsered by Redbull] will feature plenty of Brewdog drinks.
Lifeshare is a voluntary organisation that works to help meet the needs of homeless and vulnerable people in Manchester and Salford. By offering practical assistance, support and information to those in need, Lifeshare hopes to “identify street homelessness and offer assistance in obtaining emergency accommodation, alleviate aspects of poverty and hardship through the redistribution of resources and to assist people to access Primary Health Care and promote health and harm reduction.”
Vice-Chair, Martha Bolton explains, “Homelessness is one of Manchester’s most prevalent social issues, perhaps now more than ever. Statistics relating to rough sleepers continue to grow at an alarming rate year on year. This, combined with instances like Lifeshare’s recent eviction from the Charter Street Ragged School, is proof that we need to act now. Manchester’s homeless population need our support in a focused and sustained manner. We can’t just sit around and hope the problem sorts itself out.”
On their search for plus size models, Martha says, “Inclusivity is incredibly important to us. We want our show to promote body positivity over the outdated and frankly unhealthy traditional catwalk standards. We’re here to raise money for Lifeshare, but we’re also here to convey the message to a generation of students that all bodies are beautiful and worthy of representation. Everyone deserves a chance to see their body type celebrated.“
If you’d like to get involved as a model, email vice.mcfs@gmail.com. Tickets for the event are available here.