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Gala fashion and music ties cultural threads
It all
started with a Dress For Success event at the Barrie Native Friendship
Centre.
Dawn Bolduc's
employment training work for native people centres itself on resumes,
employability skills, interview rehearsals, and job presentation. It
was logical, then, to hold a Dress For Success fashion show, with the
models selecting their own, economically-priced clothes and walking
down an aisle to demonstrate appropriate job wear.
Dawn's
passionate about employment for aboriginal people, and often her work
involves much more than the resume or the job interview.
This
Pam Baker creation. Pam lives in British Columbia and has a school
of fashion design called "Touch Of Culture". This photo
was taken at Heritage Park following the first of two FabOriginal
Designs Shows in the Barrie Jazz And Blues Festival IX this past
June."
PHOTO BY Mike Guilbault, C.P.A. |
Fast forward to
a year later when the Friendship Centre hosted a Media Career
Day with local media taking part in round table discussions, trade
show booths, and one-on-one discussions with aboriginal youth.
Dawn was called forward to again present a Dress For Success show.
Friendship
Centre Executive Director David Martin explains that for aboriginal
people, wealth isn't about money. Wealth is appreciated through
four filters: emotional, intellectual, physical, spiritual. With
this in mind, Career Day and Dress for Success became events to
focus on more than just a paycheque. But it got even bigger. The
Media Career Fair was such a success that Doug Garraway of The
New VR and Robin Munroe, organizer of Barrie's Jazz & Blues
Festival met with David and Dawn to bring an aboriginal focus
into the limelight.
Together,
and with the resources of the women from the Native Friendship
Centre, the group sought out aboriginal designers, paired up their
designs with jazz music at Heritage Park, did some fashion and
runway training and took the Dress for Success idea a little farther
down the ramp.
Well, this little party is about to explode.
Together,
and with the resources of the women from the Native Friendship
Centre, the group sought out aboriginal designers, paired up their
designs with jazz music at Heritage Park, did some fashion and
runway training and took the Dress for Success idea a little farther
down the ramp.
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On November
6 at Casino Rama Design-nation or Designation (you choose your own interpretation)
Gala will feature well trained aboriginal models in the clothes of Canadian
aboriginal designers, funky music, live entertainment, fabulous food,
and more, more, more.
The Gala
wouldn't be possible without the volunteer efforts of dozens of people,
starting with clever Dream Catcher invitations complete with feathers
and silver to an East meets West menu guaranteed to satisfy any palate.
Wanda Fluney of Potentials Models & Self Development is providing
the training and choreography for the event; Elizabeth Johnston of Decorations
for All Occasions is turning the venue from terrific to "wow".
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The
work of designers such as Ronald Everett of Toronto and Angela
DeMontigny of Six Nations--seven designers in all--will create
the oohs and aahs of the evening.
No
ordinary fashion show, here. Aboriginal regalia such as shawl
dancers, jingle dresses, traditional men's costumes will complement
modern designs. In fact, it's apparent how much today's designs
draw from yesteryear.
"They
loved what we did at Heritage Park during Jazz & Blues Festival,"
says David Martin. "We thought, let's do more, we can make
a much bigger event." Headline music at the event is by the
very popular Downchild Blues Band. Their opening act will be Sugar
High, a regional trio talent.
Casino
Rama has stepped up to the plate (as it were) and Royal Victoria
Hospital's Cancer Care Centre will be one of the big recipients
of funds raised. The Friendship Centre also wants to boost its
own breast cancer awareness program. Together, both groups are
sharing resources, and building on community generosity to give
a fabulous evening's entertainment with a totally unique twist.
There
are sponsorship opportunities for businesses... several categories
range from sponsoring a model at $300 to owning a Fashion Capitals
spot such as Paris ($5000) or Milan ($3500) and everything in
between. Sponsors increase the fundraising power, says Dawn Bolduc,
and she's ready to take a call... 721-7689.
Small
business also has its place at this Gala.
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This is a Ronald
Everett creation. Originally from British Columbia, Ronald now has
his studio in Toronto.. This photo was taken at Heritage Park following
the first of two FabOriginal Designs Shows in the Barrie Jazz And
Blues Festival IX this past June."
PHOTO
BY Mike Guilbault, C.P.A. |
Donated
door prizes (a great chance to promote your products) will be auctioned
off to increase funds raised during the evening. But this is no ordinary
auction! Attendance is expected to kick off interest from the RVH Foundation
and its supporters, Chiefs of each band in this region. The entire event
begins at 6 pm, November 6, with a hand drumming presentation by the aboriginal
community. You can expect to enjoy contemporary and native music while
participating in a unique effort.
Tickets?
$150. Includes a charitable tax receipt. 739-5600.
Design.
Nation. Coming together. And we all benefit.
Thanks,
David. Thanks, Dawn.
NOTE:
Both photographs displayed on this page were from featured
designers who were a part of Toronto Fashion Week last Spring under
the Fashion Nation banner. Both designers will be part of the Gala on
November 6, 2004.
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