Fashion Show - Classic, Classy and Christmassy

Fashion Show – Classic, Classy and Christmassy

The Little Lifts and John Lewis Fashion Show: a fashion show with a difference.

What an incredible evening hosting our second fashion show of the year with the amazing John Lewis team. This wonderful festive show championed our models, all of whom have been affected by breast cancer. A huge thank you goes to our Little Lifts community who created a room filled with love.

Our amazing events guru Shopie organised the fashion show with John Lewis raising over three thousand pounds through ticket sales, a raffle and an auction! There were over 200 guests and 18 models showcasing three themes of festive wear selected by the wonderful John Lewis personal stylists.

Our models were pampered having their makeup, skincare, hair and nails done by Bea Coloured, Courage Noble and Bare Minerals. As our wonderful models are giving up their time to take part we love making sure they feel pampered.

The show was located at ‘The Benugo Cafe’ where the space underwent a huge transformation to transport us into a gorgeous Nutcracker Winter Wonderland.

From spectacular handmade life sized candy canes, a couture mannequin look and a nutcracker to a gorgeous bauble light arch, an array of trees and even tying bows around our Little Lifts Boxes, every detail was covered.

Of course, there was also the logistic of bringing all of the models clothes to a different space along with seating for 200 people… as well as space for our ballet dancers! What a fantastic team, we were absolutely blown away with how stunning this space was!

Each guest was greeted by our team and mingled whilst taking their seats lining the runway. Before the show began there was an opportunity to enter our raffle which had an array of wonderful prizes.

The show was opened by the fantastic dancers from the Workshop Studio followed by our incredible models, who strutted down the catwalk in three festive looks; sleepwear, Christmas Day outfit and party wear. The photos speak for themselves! Special thanks go to Liz, Lizzie and Oa for sharing their stories.

Events like these are an absolute privilege for us to host. Being able to see our incredible models being cheered on and feeling empowered is very moving. Our wonderful models offered to take part, many of them felt out of their comfort zones and nervous before they walked the runway. So, to see them glowing, smiling and feeling confident during and after the show was amazing. Our models commented on how fantastic our guests were, creating an environment full of love for when our models hit the runway. This event was a lovely opportunity for our community to be championed whilst seeing the impact our small but mighty charity makes. We are so fortunate to be able to do events that bring our community together and are continuously so grateful for everyone’s support.

Following quotes are from our wonderful models who are either beneficiaries or family of beneficiaries:

‘Whilst nervously waiting for my first radiotherapy session I was given the lovely distraction of my Little Lifts Box. I was really moved by such a thoughtful gift. I love supporting Little Lifts as everyone is kind, caring and supportive.’ – Kara

‘I was diagnosed with cancer in February and it feels like your world totally collapses in on you. To receive this Box meant so much to me, it felt like I wasn’t alone and that there were people out there who had been through it as well. Inside the Box, there is so much that you don’t even realise you’re going to need when you are going through chemotherapy. Little Lifts is an amazing charity, it reaches out and hugs so many people going through breast cancer. I’m doing the fashion show today just to give a little bit back to them and hopefully they raise lots of money for their amazing charity.’ – Kat

‘I was diagnosed with primary breast cancer when I was 35 weeks pregnant with my son, I had him at 37 weeks and then when he was 4 weeks old I was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer.

When I first received my Box I was too overwhelmed by everything that was going on and I didn’t feel able to open it. I put it under the sofa for 2 to 3 weeks… I didn’t have the bandwidth to deal with my breast cancer, I had just had a baby and was as focused on that as much as I could be.

When I did it was just full of lovely things and lovely treats. I got a bit overwhelmed and cried, but it was really lovely.’ – Gemma

‘When I opened the Box it was a really lovely gift, it was like opening a Christmas stocking on Christmas morning that you hadn’t expected. Loads of really beautiful products and just so nice to think that somebody had thought about me.’ – Sascha

‘Volunteering at Little Lifts has been like therapy for me as it’s helped me share my experience with other people and hear their stories too, also made some lovely new friendships with the team and volunteers. Little Lifts is a loving and caring charity, BIG HUG IN A BOX.’ – Bex

‘We love supporting Little Lifts, they are a charity that fit very much within our ethos and our values. When I first met Shopie and Oa they were such warm and lovely people and so passionate about their cause. We wanted to get involved and now have been for over 4 years. We enjoyed taking on the Challenge 250 event, it has been fantastic and we have had a great result.

I am inspired… I am inspired by the people I have met here that I am now about to do the catwalk with. You hear their stories and really think why should I get nervous, they have all been through such a journey and tough time, they are so brave to get out and take part in a catwalk. There are various stages of breast cancer that they have been diagnosed with and we want to do as much as we can for them.’ – John, Saxon Air

‘Having lost my wife and a daughter to breast cancer, I am happy to help anyone suffering some of the trauma cancer causes to an individual or family. I know from personal experience what a Little Lifts Box can do to support a cancer sufferer. What I personally am able to do is but a small contribution to the enormous efforts of the Little Lifts Team in spreading a little joy to people finding themselves in a very dark place and hoping to shed a measure of light at a life changing time.’ – Graham

We were blown away by the incredible performance from The Workshop Studios, the choreography, music and interactions with our models added to what was an amazing show!

Mark, Rachel, Jack, Lydia, Chloe and ALL of the John Lewis team thank you for hosting such a special evening with us. Mark and Rachel for bringing this vision to life, Chloe and Lydia for ensuring our models felt empowered and amazing, Jack for all of his fantastic work, the VM team who transformed the space to a festive fantasy, all of the beauty teams who pampered our models, the list goes on. Some extra massive thanks go to James Rouse for his beautiful photography. The Workshop Studios for their fantastic performance. Harps for the fabulous festive tracks. Paul Harrison Photography for capturing the night. Bea Coloured and Courage Noble for their amazing hair styling and Bare Minerals for the gorgeous make up looks. MooGoo Skincare for their kind contributions to our goodie bags. Our lovely volunteers who helped the evening to run as well as every other person who offered their time, expertise and care helping with this event. Finally, to our very special guests for cheering our models on!