Women Dress Up For Charity Against Domestic Violence ‘Experiencia’
This April, London celebrated Experiencia, an exciting charity evening of fashion shows, entertainment and live music aimed at raising vital funds and awareness for London based domestic violence charity, Hestia Housing & Support. The show was opened by several of the women who use our domestic violence services as they took to the catwalk modelling designer clothing alongside some of London’s most celebrated up and coming independent music acts. Special guest on the evening, Soul UK Singer Beverley Knight tweeted about the women from the refuge, “They were cheered and clapped and encouraged. Really heart-warming to see. Xxxxx”
Experiencia took place at two spectacular London venues; the press launch on 19th April at The Mostyn Hotel Marble Arch and the main event on the 26th April at The Industry Members Club within the Westbourne Studios complex. Marketing Coordinator of the charity, Francois Ferriere says “Experiencia was a way of involving the women who come to us when they are most in need. It has given them a fresh and innovative way to take part, tell their stories and share their experiences.”
Each of the women taking part in the fashion show have a different story to tell, however all of them are experiencing the same thing when they come to Hestia for help - they are all in distress and fleeing domestic violence. Each year there are over 1 million victims of domestic violence in England and Wales, resulting on average in the death of 2 women every week!
With a successful turn out at both events hosted by acclaimed world artist Ola Onabule, guests enjoyed designer fashion collections by:
Dorcas Hammond - International Fashion Designer to Miss World 2009, Kaiane Aldorino & Miss Gibraltar contestants.
Tony Q’aja - Exclusive Golf wear and tailored suits to the likes of including Matt Dawson, Ant & Dec and Hollywood superstar, Samuel L Jackson.
Aaron Ray Dowie - Classic tailored men’s suits.
Beatrix Brown - Independent London clothing and accessories fashion label with a vintage inspired luxury finish.
Lingerie Collective - A stunning rage of tasteful ladies loungewear and lingerie.
Serdrey - A team of talented young designers who are breaking out into the world of fashion and fashion marketing.
Entertainment both on and off the catwalk included pop up fashion boutiques by exhibitors such as Lotus Blue Jewellery and Nylander Couture and live music performances by Surianne (Hestia Housing & Support Ambassador and singer of their charity music single, “Stronger Than Before” – available on iTunes), Lewis Clay, Tiger Lilly, Guy Valarino, House of Angels, Monroe, The Chancery Lane and Larissa Eddie.
The event attracted significant press coverage in and outside the UK such as Grazia Magazine Online, Le Cool, GBC (Gibraltar TV) and Radio Gibraltar, but Hestia also welcomed a number of high profile supporters including Soul UK singer, Beverley Knight, Kaiane Aldorino (Miss World 2009), Paul Isola from Breed77 and other top London designers and journalists from the music and fashion world.
The main sponsors for the events were The Gibraltar Tourist Board, The Mostyn Hotel, Industry Members Club, Red Aware, The Little Big Voice (PR and Events), Barefoot Wines, VibesPR, Nigel’s Food Design, Lotus Blue Jewellery and Nylander Couture.
Guests supported the charity’s fundraising drive by taking part in a raffle winning some amazing prizes, such as flights from Monarch airlines and Easy Jet, hotel accommodation at The Rock Hotel Gibraltar, spa treatments (Adamina Spa of Kensington), designer fashion wear by Dorcas Hammond, artwork by Clare Hartigan, ladies membership for the exclusive “Champagne for Life” programme as well as a bespoke jewellery piece designed by Lotus Blue Jewellery.
By putting the spotlight on the grim statistics of domestic violence, Hestia was extremely proud to have held this event as a way of supporting the women and children who turn to them for help. The money raised on the night will go towards providing the women and children who come through Hestia’s doors each day with the on-going help and support they need. Hestia’s Chief Executive, Patrick Ryan explains, “For some of the women, taking part in the show is something they have always wanted to do but have not had the confidence or the opportunity in the past. Our wish was to give them this chance so that they could feel empowered to move forward positively and to feel supported and proud of who they are.”
Thank you for all your support!
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