Celebs to strut catwalk in secondhand threads
Striding down the catwalk in secondhand threads with a 5-year-old doesn’t sound like your typical glam New Zealand Fashion Week show.
But that’s what new dad Matt France will be doing as he takes to the runway with daughter Juliette for Mercy Hospice Charity Shops.
The husband of The Hits broadcaster Toni Street will be part of NZ Fashion Week’s finale.
France and Juliette will be styled from head to toe in clothing and accessories from the racks and shelves of the popular charity store.
“It should be fun and I don’t think it’s ever been done before where there is a charity aspect at Fashion Week,” France said. “To have clothing from the stores in a show is pretty cool.”
The former rugby player said he was a newbie to the catwalk and had “no idea what to expect”.
The couple welcomed new son Lachlan a week ago. Street’s best friend, Sophie Braggins, offered to be a surrogate for them when Street’s Churg-Strauss syndrome meant she was unable to carry a baby.
The extremely rare autoimmune condition causes inflammation of small and medium-sized blood vessels.
Lachlan joins siblings Juliette and Mackenzie, 2.
France said he was not sure Street would be at Fashion Week because she had her hands full with Lachlan.
France is the sponsorship and events manager at real estate firm Barfoot & Thompson, a supporter of Mercy Hospice.
The models are staff or friends of
Mercy and the celebrities had links to the hospice.
The celebrities include Lorraine Downes, Mike McRoberts, Samantha Hayes, Annie Evans, Tamati RimeneSproat and Mel Homer.
Downes said hospice was close to her heart after the death of her husband, cricketer Martin Crowe.
“I am thrilled to be part of this parade and to support Mercy Hospice who cared for my husband, Marty Crowe, and our family so wonderfully well throughout his illness,” she said. Mercy Hospice will have a pop-up shop throughout Fashion Week.
The show, featuring looks for the whole family, will be held on September 2 and close Fashion Week 2018.
Natalie Macaulay, Mercy Hospice Auckland marketing manager, said the show aimed to dispel the notion that hospice clothes were boring. “Through the public’s generous support, we receive a wide range of clothes, including many designer labels and clothing accessories.”
All proceeds from the show go to Mercy Hospice. Tickets are available from iticket.