Nonprofit combines mental health, fashion
CHESAPEAKE — Winter Savage found a way to combine the two things she is most passionate about: mental health and fashion.
As a social worker and fashion stylist, she wanted to raise interest about certain topics through fashion. Thus, Fashion for Awareness was born.
Fashion for Awareness was created in 2015 as “a nonprofit organization that uses fashion and beautification as way to convey information to people about certain topics and so forth in hopes of creating a better understanding,” according to its website.
Savage, formerly of Hampton and now living in Norfolk, uses her organization to raise awareness for mental health issues that are not often discussed or well understood. Postpartum depression is one of her primary focuses. She teamed up with a mother who was in her fourth trimester and did a photo shoot to foster dialogue. They created a vlog featuring mental health professionals and Postpartum Support Virginia Inc. In the video, she uses color therapy with her collection because studies have shown that certain colors, such as yellow, can put a person in a happier mood.
Crystal Bland is a licensed counselor with the National Counseling Group in Newport News. Many people she works with deal with depression, and she says using unconventional practices, such as Savage’s, can often be beneficial.
“It normalizes the mental health issue and raises awareness,” Bland says. “It also creates support in a sense for other people that are going through the same thing.”
Depression can look different for different people, Bland says. Symptoms of depression can include excessive crying, hopelessness, over eating or not eating at all, a lack of interest in activities and others.
Fashion for Awareness had a postpartum event on Oct. 27 as part of the Virginia Bridal and Prom Expo. Savage says she chose postpartum because it is a complex topic, and many people do not understand it or know where to get help to treat it.
“My goal is to use fashion as a tool to convey a language and educate people on a topic, anything people can get more information on,” Savage says.
She believes that fashion can be used to mentor students and let them know that it is OK to ask for help and get the resources they need. Her high school guidance counselor helped her attend prom, so she wanted to turn around and help students at her alma mater. Fashion for Awareness hosted the Pre-Prom Pop Up in September as its first event for students of Oscar Smith High School in Chesapeake. The pop-up allows students to be connected with prom resources, as well as get answers regarding their prom concerns.
Savage wanted to start with prom because she grew up in foster care and said clothing helped her feel great and not realize her environment.
“Clothing creates an element,” Savage says. “When you look good, you feel good.”
Vinchelle Sullivan is a licensed nail tech and does her part to help the students look good for prom. She connects students with other beautification services, including barbers and makeup artists, and will sometimes provide discounts for her own nail services. She gives to the girls because she can see who needs what, Sullivan says.
Savage uses the prom planning not only to get students prepared for prom, but as a way to help get them ready for their future. She wants them to understand the importance of being proactive rather than panicking at the last minute.
Savage leads the event’s organization, but she has a board of directors to help with community projects. She predicts that as the organization gets more publicity, the team will grow and become busier.
Lynne Savoy, graduation coach at Oscar Smith, has known Savage for four years. She helps support the project by making announcements, getting students to meet with Savage, and following up with whatever is needed. She describes Savage as a genuine, thoughtful person who is trying to help as many children as she can.
“Our school population is one that has a lot of needs,” Savoy says. “She enjoys being a mentor and helping students get to the next level.”
Operating her nonprofit has taught Savage the importance of task management and the challenges of becoming an entrepreneur, she says. She points out that at one time, women didn’t have the right to vote or even wear pants. She considers the ability to express herself through clothing almost an obligation.
“I feel like entrepreneurship is learned,” she says. “Once you learn to master that ability and do what you love to do, you’ll never work a day in your life.”
Although the nonprofit is still growing, the success of the programs can be seen as students come back to volunteer or donate clothes. Fashion for Awareness recently had the opportunity to host a program at Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk. Savage believes her success is due in part to her faith.
“When you’re doing the right thing, your provisions are provided for you. I know God will provide for me.”