Make A Wish!

Every year, Fashion for Philanthropy hosts their annual spring fashion show, which is coming up this Friday, April 8^th!  Fashion for Philanthropy, FFP, is an on-campus club that amplifies different aspects of the fashion world and hosts fundraising events that benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. As an executive board member of FFP, I am proud to announce that this year’s theme is FFP Schwarz – Toys on the Runway. We chose this theme based on trends from various Fashion Week presentations that were a fusion of the relaxed 1970’s vibe and 1980’s retro lifestyle with bright Barbie inspired pop-culture accents. While the show itself is always an exciting event that both fundraises and fosters school spirit, the process of putting the show together is itself perhaps even more exciting.

Image for this year's show!

Preparation for the show is a yearlong process. Along with the rest of the executive-board, the club hosts different bake sales and food-runs during the first semester to raise money to purchase decorations and food for the fashion show. Mid-way through the first semester, we pick a theme, and once we have done so, we create an in-depth budget packet that we present to the Office of Student Life. This packet allots the necessary funds for the executive board to finance the entire show, which includes more decorations, hiring a DJ, purchasing raffle tickets, and necessary supplies for models and student designers.

 

Lollipops for a fall fundraiser

It is truly the second semester that everything comes together for the show. This, in my opinion is the most hectic, but the most exciting part of the year! One of the most important parts of the show is gathering sponsors and donors for the event. These companies, which span from accessories brands to couture fashion lines, will either donate items for our raffle or for the student models to wear during the show. Additionally, some pieces are put into our VIP gift bags, which are normally priced up to $125 a bag! Essentially, a general admissions ticket to the show is $6, and a VIP ticket is $12 – all if which benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This year we are showcasing some New York designers as well as gifts from Bloomingdale’s, Pura Vida, and Donna Morgan Bridal! Our alumni network is key in assisting us with the sponsorship portion of the event since many are so willing to help us reach out to contacts in the fashion industry.

A sneak peak of some of the clothes donated for this year's show!

The week of the show, (which is this week!!,) is always a rush. Every night we have auditions for our student models, which we cast several weeks prior to the show. The male and female models are always an exciting group to work with since they are the face of the show and always promote spirit around campus to hype up the event! Additionally, this week we get together all of the baked goods and work on all the decorations that will be set up in the Rose Hill Gym for the event. We also receive all of the gifts from our sponsors that the club works so hard for all semester. The show itself is only an hour, but it feels like so much more time!

I always have felt that this is an event that captures Fordham's spirit of caring for the whole person while working for others – essentially the annual fashion show is a culminating moment on campus where spring is in full bloom and adds to the positive spirit towards the end of the school year. And the best part is, it’s all for a great cause!

Student-made flier that announced modeling auditions.

Fashion for Philanthropy

One of the reasons I love Fordham is its active campus life.  As of this year, there are over 100 clubs on campus which provides for a bustling environment here at Rose Hill.  I feel like this is best captured every year at our club fair where executive board members of each club promote their group.  I always find the fair amusing, as it seems to turn into a competition to see which club can have the most members sign up.  Club members surround Eddie’s Parade and play music, hand out candy, and even run around to bring attention to their table!  It is always an exciting day because it kicks off the school year on a positive note where students can reconnect through organization about which they passionate. 

Treats from our #PSL sale!

One club that I am particularly passionate about is Fashion for Philanthropy, also known on commonly on campus is FFP.  FFP is an outlet for Fordham’s fashion enthusiasts as it incorporates all aspects of the industry from business, design, modeling, and yes, even charity!  The club essentially puts on different events, both big and small, throughout the year to raise money for the Make A Wish Foundation.  For example, this year, we have had a Mac and Cheese delivery bake sale and a Pumpkin Spice Latté station to help kick start the fall season.  I particularly enjoyed these events because it was a great way for club members to bond amidst the forthcoming chillier fall days that lie ahead.  Both were a big hit, especially the Pumpkin Spice Latté station where we even served some fall sweets and treats!  Great for the Halloween spirit!

I would say the club’s largest event is definitely our spring fashion show (we finally decided on a theme, which I am very excited about!).  This time of year is when we begin to primarily focus on the show as there are so many layers to its success.  First, we have to assemble and present a budget to OSLCD (Office of Student Leadership and Community Development) to put on the show with the necessary decorations, props, etc.  Then comes the process of gathering sponsors for the event, which have included in previous years Lord and Taylor, Pura Vida, and Jeffrey Campbell.  Amidst all of this, we also need to meet with student designers to showcase their pieces as well as train models for the show.  Ulitmately, all proceeds from the show, raised by raffles, prizes, tickets and donations go towards the Make A Wish Foundation – it’s a win win all around, and quite a fun production, so stay tuned!

Sponsor's from last year's show.

Pamphlets from last year's show.

As PR Coordinator of FFP, I am in charge of our club’s Wordpress blog account and social media forums.  I really enjoy working with our club members to discuss fashion as it is a creative outlet for us all.  That is what I love so much about this club – it represents a sector that is not typically promoted, and harnesses it in such a way to promote fashion as an art form and as an industry of its own.  There is so much that goes on in the fashion industry, from PR and Marketing, to designing and manufacturing, even law and ethics (which is what I am primarily interested in!), and we try our hardest to highlight all these different aspects for Fordham students.  We work very closely with Career Services to filter internship and job opportunities so that club members have access to such prospects and potential networking outlets.  Our members are definitely very busy – we even have a section on our blog called “Intern Diaries.” 

 

Model from last year's show, showcasing a piece from a Fordham student designer!

Fashion For Philanthropy is a club that has a strong mission and I look forward to see its growth during the rest of my time here at Fordham.