Casting for models for a benefit fashion show will begin Feb. 24. Although the location has not been verified yet, event coordinators say the auditions are likely to be conducted on campus.
About 30 to 50 models are wanted to participate in the community fashion show on April 30, which hopes to awareness and funds for the Red Thread Movement.
Preston Watson, junior advertising and public relations major from Virginia, said the show needs members of the community who want to help the cause.
“We’re looking for anybody interested in modeling and who is confident,” he said. “It’s really open to anyone. When they come, they’ll fill out an information sheet, and then we’ll contact those who we are going to use for the show. We’re even looking for people out in the community to participate, even in high schools.”
Although partnerships for clothing designers still are being worked out, Watson said they have decided on an overall atmosphere for the event.
“We want it to feel formal,” Watson said. “For part of the show, we’re going to be doing kind of a formal street style. And then for another segment, we’re going to show very formal, cocktail attire and suits for the guys.”
The decision to hold a benefit fashion show for the Red Thread Movement stemmed from the popularity of the little red bracelets’ sales around campus. Students began selling the bracelets, supplied by Eternal Threads, a local fair trade federation, which spurred a movement. Each bracelet was weaved together by women rescued from sex trafficking.
Whitney Puckett, advertising and public relation intern, said the decision to pair with Eternal Threads and the International Rescue Committee, as opposed to other causes, was prayerfully considered.
“Honestly, [sex trafficking] is such a problem everywhere,” Puckett said. “Not only does ACU have such strong ties with the Red Thread Movement, but it’s an issue that we see around the world, here in the United States, and we even see it here in Abilene. We wanted to support a non-profit that would focus on an issue that is everywhere.”
Because the show will run completely by students, as opposed to an organization, anyone can get involved.
“This is the greatest part about fashion shows: It’s not really an organization through ACU; it’s a group of students who want to make a difference,” Puckett said. “Also, it’s for students who not only have a passion for fashion and non-profits, but also advertising, media planning, marketing and photography. It’s a group of us who want to use our talents for good, and we’re trying to create our own unique twist on the way we do that.”
