Pink’s in for spring

BY ELYSE AMEND

elyse.amend@transcontinental.ca

After months of hard work, the Grade 10 leadership class at Riverdale High School in Pierrefonds hopes to fill the gym to capacity for this Friday’s Pink Fashion Show benefiting the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation.

The students were inspired to organize the event by their teacher, Jane Crutchfield, who has been a breast cancer survivor for one and a half years.

“She told us her story, and that’s why we wanted to do this,” said Deidre Cools, one of the fashion show’s organizers.

Friday night’s guests will have the opportunity to try out some ‘mock-tail’ non-alcoholic drinks and desserts, win prizes like skiing passes and free coffee from Second Cup through a raffle, watch local dance centre 8Count’s team District perform, and, of course, see some of this season’s most popular styles. A team of about 30 models will strut their stuff down the runway, showing off both male and female fashion lines from designers like Mimi and Coco, American Apparel, Lv Creations, and Pre-Loved, among others.

“Getting the sponsors was a big part of it,” said fashion show committee member and event co-host Liela Touré.

“There was a lot of phone tag and e-mail tag with the sponsors and the (clothing companies),” Cools added.

On top of patience, the organization process also taught the students some valuable lessons, like how to approach and communicate with big businesses, how to deal with rejection, and how to manage a tight budget.

“It’s a little bit restrictive, but last year students organized a café night for $0,” Cools said of the limited funds they had available for the show. “So, it’s a challenge, but it’s do-able.”

The students said their anticipation to see all their work and preparation come to life keeps growing every minute the clock ticks closer to showtime.

“We feel excited for it to happen, but nervous too,” said Amanda Goudreau, a Grade 9 student who will be modelling a number of outfits Friday night.

“It’s exciting to be in the spotlight,” said committee member and model Matthew Sabloff, adding he is just as eager to see what the school’s gym will look like after the organizers are through with it. “The gym won’t be recognizable because of all the great decorations.”

But the students say their biggest motivation is knowing their efforts inspired by their teacher are going to help others.

“They’re my champions,” said Crutchfield, adding events like this also help fight the negative stereotype teenagers can face. “They’re really strong kids. They’re passionate and they’re organized. We have to promote it more and show they’re not bad kids. We always see the negative, but there are a lot more good kids than bad kids. We need to empower them, because they’re the ones who are going to make a difference later on.”

The Pink Fashion Show will take place in the Riverdale High School gym, 5060 Sources Blvd. in Pierrefonds, this Friday with doors opening at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for students and $12 for adults, and will be sold at the door. For more information, e-mail the event organizers at rhsfashionshow08@hotmail.com.