A collaboration with the Soroptimist International Dunedin club and involving students from the institute’s hairdressing, beauty therapy and photography programmes, along with contributions from local designers and retail stores, the event will be held next Friday, June 19.
The fundraiser aims to promote awareness of ovarian cancer and funds for Dunedin-based K9 Medical Detection, which works with highly trained dogs to detect medical issues.
Otago Polytechnic college of creative practice and enterprise principal lecturer Rachel Byars said putting on the event was a "significant and authentic learning experience for the students, who are responsible for planning and delivering the evening as part of their programme".
With support from Ms Byars and event management expert Michelle Branford, about a dozen event management students are involved in putting together the showcase, working in marketing, sponsorship and logistics teams.
Among them are marketing team member Issy Magee, 20, sponsorship team member Phoebe Wellstead, 21, and post-graduate student Hannah Cole, 21, in the logistics team.
Miss Cole said the showcase would involve a runway fashion show, featuring garments from Dunedin fashion labels Charmaine Reveley, Company of Strangers, Tegan Vickery, Rhian (Brittany Nelson-Misa), Repertoire, Kennedy Lahood-Timu, along with Brent Weatherall Jeweller and Void Clothing.
Models from local agencies and students will showcase the garments at intervals throughout the evening.
There will also be performances from emcee and magician Jonathan Usher, local musician Paige Milburn and the Rasa School of Dance.
"Everyone is getting excited as the event comes closer — we are pleased with how things are shaping up," Miss Cole said.
"The organisation of the night has been student-led throughout, which has been an enjoyable experience for us."
Miss Wellstead said it had been an interesting and at times challenging process to work on gathering sponsorship for the event, as well as prizes for raffles and the charity auction on the night.
"We have had great responses from local businesses, who have been really generous in supporting us," she said.
Among the prizes on offer were a night at Southern Cross Hotel, a visit to Skyline Queenstown Gondola & Luge, tours of Orokonui Ecosanctuary and a range of local packages.
Miss Magee said the students had also learnt about the important work of the K9 Medical Detection organisation. Its founder Pauline Bloomfield and one of the specialist dogs are set to attend.
Detecting Hope: A Fashion & Art Fundraiser will be held next Friday, June 19, from 6.30pm-9pm at the Otago Polytechnic Hub.
Tickets are available via humanitix or through facebook.
