The Benefits of Fashion

Last night was the second annual Benefits of Fashion show that students at my school organize. Now, I've been to more fashion shows then I ever anticipated thanks to working at schools where students seem to have a desire (and the connections) to pull things like this off, but I have to admit that this one is a step above many that I've been to. Why? To start with the clothes are designed (but not sewn) by students working in groups of three to create three distinct collections. This year the first collection was focused on formal wear, the second collection on a cultural fusion of color and fabrics and the third was inspired by the Crusades. All of the clothing is modeled by other students, and this appeals to me for a couple of reasons...first it means that not everyone is stick thin and an unrealistic role model (although after seeing many of our girls dressed in form fitting clothes I realize how thin many of them are), it also means that there are just as many boys out there as girls. Second it provides an opportunity for many of our students to do something outside of their comfort zone and usual experience. Will they turn in to models, no, but there is a sense of confidence in oneself that can come from successful walking down a spotlit runway while photos are taken of you in front of over a hundred people. The real reason I enjoy this particular fashion show more than others though is that all of the money earned in this rather elegant endeavor goes to support a group that is working towards women's empowerment. This year the recipient is an organization call Work + Shelter which is trying to "create safe spaces in India where women can come to live and work." The following is from their website:

WORK+SHELTER focuses on women’s empowerment and poverty alleviation. Fundamentally, we provide women in India with fair-trade work and, should they need it, a safe place to live with their dependents. Each shelter has a physical location where activities are centralized. 

At our pilot, W+S New Delhi, women are entered into our paid training program where we teach them the skills to create high-quality products for the export market. The only entry prerequisite we have is demonstrated economic need. When the woman completes training and begins to produce for the export market, we increase her pay. The women are paid whether or not the products sell. 

Beyond work and shelter, we regularly confer with the women to ensure their other key needs are met. For example, at W+S New Delhi we are currently assisting one stakeholder to find medical support for her kidney problems. We also actively support the women to ensure children in their family are in school. We are aware of each woman’s unique challenges and actively work with them to overcome them together.

I know that they are working to be able to open up several more shelters for women in need and I have no doubt that our students have helped them out with that goal. When you think about that, it would be hard not to go watch a fashion show!