Fashion fills Parramatta Corps in celebration of ‘resilient’ women
BY LAUREN MARTIN
More than 100 women enjoyed a morning filled with fashion, fun and good food at Parramatta Salvation Army in Sydney’s west, as the corps teamed up with their local Salvos Store to host a fashion parade and high tea event.
Eco fashion warrior and stylist Faye De Lanty dressed 10 models, who were volunteers from the corps’ weekly craft group. Each wore clothes from Salvos Stores to highlight that you can be stylish without a big price tag and do your bit to divert clothes from landfill.
Many guests at the event, held on International Women’s Day in early March, had connections with Parramatta Salvos through its programs and support services. Roza Gutschow, community programs coordinator for Parramatta Corps said the event was “a great sign of a thriving and diverse community, and I am very proud of the wonderful women we get to interact with every day and on special occasions like this, celebrate the resilience of all women.”
This was a free event aimed at celebrating women who typically wouldn’t find themselves on the guest list at other International Women’s Day events or who might be unable to attend due to costs.
Much of the food was baked in home kitchens across the Parramatta region by staff, volunteers, and community members, while Salvos Stores generously donated all the teaware. Guests could buy their teacup and saucer with a gold coin donation.
The theme of the morning tea was ‘You are Wonderful’, derived from the World Day of Prayer theme, reminding the community of Psalm 139:14: “I will praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made ...”
A Salvos Store pop-up shop was available for guests to be able to purchase clothes, shoes, bags and jewellery at very low cost.
Mark Spokes, Area Manager for Salvos Stores, said it was as fantastic example of Salvos Stores collaborating with the local Salvation Army corps.
“The room was full of love, laughter and cheer, as the ladies cheered on fellow community members as they strutted down the catwalk wearing incredible outfits pulled together from Salvos Stores.”
While this event was scheduled to coincide with International Women’s Day, similar events could take place at any time of the year, with corps partnering with local Salvos Stores to fulfil The Salvation Army’s mission pillar of ‘creating healthy communities’.
What a fantastic idea!
Click through the slideshow below for more photos:
Parramatta Corps’ Kathy, Melinda and Keira model at the International Women’s Day Salvos Stores fashion event.
