Shoppers witnessed scenes straight from the 1920s with board chairman Kerran Larson and accountant Jayden Prattley dressed like gangsters from the time period.
“Most people in Southland would not equate dementia with exciting entertainment; however, we think otherwise,” Mr Larson said.
The scene also included Gatsby showgirls and a 1925 Chrysler.
The showgirls in particular were “drawing crowds of curious mall-goers throughout the morning”, said event co-ordinator Jersey Rhein.
“Seeing the costumes and characters come to life in the mall was incredibly exciting for me.”
She had spent “countless hours” designing and creating the costumes, along with curating the visual elements of the scene at the mall.
“What excited me the most was watching how immersive the experience already felt, even in the middle of a shopping mall.”
The atmosphere that was created on Saturday was “exactly the feeling” she wanted guests to have when they walked into the event.
“This photo shoot was only a tiny taste of the scale, glamour and spectacle we’re building for the full evening, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to start seeing that vision come to life for such an important cause.”
The fundraiser itself promises “ an evening of live entertainment, world-class circus acts, immersive Gatsby styling, fundraising auctions, glamour and atmosphere”.
Guests are encouraged to dress up in attire from that time period as it’s “all part of the fun and adds to the atmosphere of the night”.
“We know everyone has some Gatsby pieces hiding away somewhere in the back of their closets.”
The Great Gatsby charity dinner is on Saturday, June 6, and tickets are available at https://www.trybooking.com/nz/events/landing/19361
