La mode de St Mary’s
ST MARY’S PITCH BIG TOP FOR FASHION SHOW
■ Emilie Falvey and Lisa O’Sullivan, transition year students of St Mary’s in Mallow, modelled in the school’s innovative Cirque de la Mode fashion event last week
BILL BROWNE THE circus rolled into Mallow last Thursday night as Transition Year ringmasters from St Mary's Secondary School pitched their big top for a night of haute couture and clowning around.
The students transformed the school sports hall into a fairground attraction for a circus themed fashion show - with almost 400 spectators savouring the special atmosphere of the lavish spectacle.
TY teacher Kathy McGlade said she set the 80 students the task of creating a fun and colourful event that would keep visitors entertained and raise funds for the school’s Aemilian Theatre as well as the Donal Walsh Foundation.
“The girls chose the circus theme because it gave them huge latitude to let their imaginations go wild. I simply said 'go design a set' and off they went, coming up with an amazing backdrop for the show,” said Kathy.
“They started working on the set before Easter but spent a frantic fortnight before the show putting the final touches to it,” she added.
The students took control of organising the entire show from building the set to sourcing clothes and local make up artists to arranging publicity for the show.
Entertainment was also provided on the night in the form of a gymnastic display, a raffle and stalls selling everything from clothes to candy floss.
Kathy said great credit should go to the local business community for rolling in behind the initiative. Shops from Mallow and Cork, local designer Hazel Comym and students from the Mallow College of Design provided the clothes with local salons doing hair and make up for the 42 students who strutted their stuff on the catwalk.
“I think the quirky theme of the show engaged people and they readily bought into the whole concept. The girls themselves were a great bunch to work with. They did everything they said they would - and more” said Kathy.
“Everyone had a fantastic night and just as importantly we managed to raise more than €2,500 on the night,” she added.