The Posh Opp Shoppes fashion show took place last week and has been billed as a celebration of inclusivity and sustainability.
The evening was held to celebrate the achievements of the Jewish Children’s Aid Society (JCAS), which began in 1882.
In its modern incarnation, its goal is to ensure that children of all abilities are included in general education. JCAS runs Posh Opp Shoppes to raise money for this cause by reselling high-quality, used products.
The event was held at the Block Arcade, an iconic Melbourne location that was completed in 1893, with catering provided by All Things Equal.
Guests at the fashion show included Caulfield Member David Southwick, Mayor Sally Capp, Deputy Mayor of the City of Glen Eira Li Zhang and Councilor Sam Parasol of the City of Glen Eira.
The event focused on the importance of recycling, which is when something is reimagined and repurposed for a new purpose. It featured the work of three young RMIT designers who worked with mentors to create the outfits that were later made available for sale through the Posh Opp Shoppes.
The model Ellie Cohen on the catwalk.
The parade was the result of hundreds of hours of work over the last 12 months, all carried out by volunteers.
It featured clothing made from tablecloths, rugs, sheets, and blankets, among other things. The outfits shown were created by designers Lily Edney, Laura Geng and Sunjin Kim. Her mentors throughout the process were Debbie Cohen, Jeanette Damen and Carmella Rauchberger.
The MC of the evening was fashion journalist Rachelle Unreich, who said: “Having written about some of the issues inherent in the fashion industry, I know how devastating the impacts of fashion can be if approached without a vision of sustainability. ”.
Melody Curtis, JCAS board member and Melbourne GP, shared that she is “not a fashionista” but where she is an expert is on the topic of inclusion. Having counseled so many of her patients, she has a deep understanding of how belonging and inclusion are so vital to mental health.
“In Kabbalah, or Jewish mysticism, every person and everything has beauty, value, and potential. This is the core of what we do at JCAS and our Posh Opp Shoppes. We believe that all children should be nurtured and encouraged to be the best they can be. We help children with disabilities in mainstream schools to a large extent by subsidizing integration helpers. By including these kids, we’re not just helping them, we’re educating an entire generation about the importance of embracing difference. To date, we have helped over 1,000 children,” Curtis told The AJN.
Shiva Singam, Experiences and Business Development Consultant at Melbourne Fashion Festival, was present at the event and said, “What a wonderful way to discover the Posh Opp Shoppes and the amazing work they do for JCAS.” , recycling, sustainability and hearing the incredible courage of your newly appointed JCAS Ambassador, Donna Cohen.”
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