Journalism & News from Bournemouth University

Dudes Adore Dresses

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Lantern fashion show. Taken by Jayne Conn.
Lantern fashion show. Taken by Jayne Conn.

An alternative fashion show where volunteers dressed up as the opposite gender showcasing recycled clothes and offering bargains took place in Weymouth last Friday.

The volunteered models underwent a gender transformation where the men wore dresses and the females wore suits, they then took to the catwalk which was set up at the Belvedere Inn.

Model Simon Day. Photo taken by Jayne Conn.
Model Simon Day. Photo taken by Jayne Conn.

The profits from the show have gone towards The Lantern Trust, an independent charity who helps the homeless and vulnerable people of Weymouth since 1983.

The fashion show was organised by business owner Charmaine Walby, she recently lost her husband who used to love wearing dresses- this is what gave her the idea to set up the show.

After the fashion show, all the clothes were sold at cheap prices to help with the cost of living crisis and to raise money for The Lantern Trust.

Jayne Conn, manager of the Lantern Trust charity shop said: “It was an amazing event, we managed to raise £328, it’s still rising!”

Entry to the show was two pounds, a raffle and disco also took place after the fashion show to help raise more money.

Model Jayne Conn.
Model Jayne Conn.

Small businesses like ‘Re-cy-cool’, donated items of clothing from their shops for the models to showcase. If sold the money from the items was also given to the Lantern Trust.

Local artist Bod donated an original painting for the Lantern Trust to auction off to raise more money for the charity due to being so impressed with the fashion show.

Mrs Conn also said: “It helped to raise awareness for The Lantern Trust, not many people know we are here.”

A model from the show, Simon Day said: “I had a thoroughly good time, the atmosphere was buzzing, dressing up as a woman made me feel empowered.”

Mrs Conn said: “You can rock an expensive look for rock bottom prices at the charity shop, the fashion show has made more people realise second-hand clothes are the way forward.”

The Lantern Trust’s motto is that they believe everyone should have a voice, if you think you need support from this charity then you can contact them at: info@lanterntrust.org.uk.