News

Fashion Show 2008

Mill Hill’s Gala Charity Fashion Show held on April 26th was a huge success – with an excellent evening’s entertainment raising much-needed funds for our Partnership Projects in India and Nicaragua.

The Show was the brainchild of 6th Formers Paula Sanchez and Kodzo Williams, and was planned on a grand scale! A huge range of fashion was on show – from cutting edge teenage styles to imaginative recycled outfits made and modelled by Grimsdell children. A constant stream of models was sent down the runway to the delight of a full-house audience who clearly enjoyed every minute. The Charity Shop Challenge (funkiest outfit for less than £20!) prize was awarded to Upper 6th Former Sam Lewis by Oscar winning costume designer Jenny Beavan, one of our recent Lecturers.

The audience were kept on the edge of their seats as the show started with a breathtaking drumming routine and the fashion runs were interspersed with exciting choreographed dance routines ranging from Street Dance to Belmont’s Asian Fusion. In total, more than 200 pupils from all three Foundation Schools took part as models, dancers and helpers.

So far, we estimate that the event has raised up to £4000 for the Partnerships, and donations are still coming in. We are extremely grateful to everyone for their generous gifts, and every penny will be sent to our Partner Projects. Trevor Chilton and Trisha Newsome showed the audience just how important our help is – from building new classrooms to providing bus fares for trainee teachers to get to their classes – and also how important the experience of working on the projects is to our Mill Hill 6th Formers. Everyone benefits.

The evening would not have been possible without an enormous amount of hard work by pupils, staff and parents. We’d like to thank everyone who contributed their time and expertise – and especially:

Show concept: Paula Sanchez and Kodzo Williams.

Show organisers: Jane Sanchez (Deputy Head, Mill Hill), Carol Adler (Deputy Head, Belmont), Adrienne Attree (Deputy Head, Grimsdell), Trevor Chilton and Trisha Newsome (Overseas Partnership representatives), Munisha Sevani (Belmont), the Walker House team (notably Roger Axworthy and Bob Taylor), Mike Gibson (Foundation catering manager) and Adele Greaves (Mill Hill Enterprises). Sue Pope, Fran Watts and Chan Vi offered vital support, and many staff from all three schools helped out on the night.

An appeal to parents to help with collections of clothes, raffle prizes or key skills such as hair and make-up brought a fantastic response and really made the show possible. Special thanks to the following parents who provided collections: Mrs Christostomou (teenage clothing), Mrs Hadjisymeou (Karen Millen and Anoushka G)), Mrs Kyriacou (Image), Mrs Collins (Only Hearts), Mr Salimian (Go 2), Mr and Mrs Lester (Fila/Russ Athletic and Precis Petit), Mrs Jelen (Tiddly Winks and Ben’s of St John’s Wood), Mrs Dickson (Frank Usher), Mr and Mrs Franks (Landmark Fashion).

Mrs Christostomou and Mrs Hadjisymeou worked with pupils all week, and Mrs Kyriacou and her daughter Amalia prepared the girls from their shop, Image, on Mill Hill Broadway. Parent Sabina Heggarty paid for professional make-up artists and helped design the set, while Mrs Prostamo and Sev Redif provided hair and make-up on the night.

We are also very grateful to Professors of Sound (lighting and sound), Fat Face of Brent Cross (clothes collection), Tux ‘n‘ Tails of Edgware (evening wear for the boys), Finchley Nurseries and Black and Cook (plants for the Octagon), parents Mr & Mrs Ward and Bonusprint (programme printing), Lawrence & Beavan Design Consultants (programme design) and TopShop for the goody bags.