Stonyhurst to stage fashion show for Zimbabwe

A fashion show with a difference at Stonyhurst College in Lancashire later this week will be supporting school students in Zimbabwe. Some of the Jesuit college’s students will be ‘upcycling’ clothes donated by Stonyhurst staff to create original and inventive new outfits; the results of their creative talents will then be modelled by students later in the term.

Messalina Morley and Karla Jansen have cleverly combined contrasting textures from over 50 donated garments, transforming long skirts into short ones and even making two-piece outfits from the extra fabric. One of the highlights of the show will be a dress designed and made by Aitana Giebels Van Bekestein, who hopes to pursue a career in fashion, and this will be auctioned at the end of the evening. In addition to these unique creations, clothes from Clitheroe’s La Tete et Tout, Aid UK and Love Fashion jewellery will be on display.

All of the money raised at the show will help fund scholarships for students through Chirwirangwe, a twinning programme between Stonyhurst and a secondary school in Harare the capital city of Zimbabwe.

Chirwirangwe means ‘we will struggle together' and it twins Stonyhurst College with St Peter's Kubatana. The aim is to improve the education of the whole person in both schools, in accordance with the ethos of Jesuit Missions, which co-ordinates the programme.

“I chose to support Chirwirangwe because it has always inspired me,” said Messalina. “I love Stonyhurst’s connection with a school in Zimbabwe – it represents the school’s ethos of ‘men and women for others’ one hundred percent.”

"Chirwirangwe is a two-way learning process which is mutually beneficial to pupils at both schools,” says Paul Warrilow, Stonyhurst College Religious Studies teacher. "The goals for this programme are to bridge the technological gap between the two institutions and to share and appreciate cultural differences whilst living true to the ideals of Education for Justice."

The fashion show in support of Chirwirangwe is taking place on Saturday 7 March at Stonyhurst College, starting at 7pm. After the show, the audience will have the opportunity to browse and buy clothing and the evening will also include a raffle and auction. Tickets cost £10 and include refreshments from 6.30pm.