In their part, the Lewis community started the “Hope for Haiti” initiative in hopes of raising funds to donate to humanitarian agency, Catholic Relief Services, for Haiti relief. Various student-led fundraising events saw students decorating doors, participating in bean bag tournaments and even throwing pies at professors faces. Now, some students are ready to work the catwalk all for the hope, or “espere,” for Haiti.
The Sophomore Class Council (SCC) is set to host a Haiti Relief Fashion Show Friday, April 23, in the Student Recreation Fitness Center.
Jessica Luckett, SCC Vice President, explained that the idea stemmed from the group
simply creating t-shirts to raise funds.
The group has already raised approximately $1,300 on t-shirt sales alone, with all proceeds going directly to Catholic Relief Services.
But Luckett explained that it wasn’t until SCC Public Liaison, Ashley Ellis, came up with the idea to have a fashion show and to get help from her brother, Bailey Ellis, who’s a graphic designer and had connections with fashion designers, that the idea really took off.
With “Hope for Haiti” becoming a recurring theme in the wake of the tragedy, Luckett explained that the group wanted to do something different, and found that using the Creole word for hope (espere) would be fitting.
“We were at our meeting and we were brainstorming on what could be our logo, and one of our members came up with ‘Their Struggle is Our Struggle’ and it just seemed to click,” said Luckett.
So far the group has snagged Chicago-based fashion line, Creatistic, to sponsor clothing for the fashion show, and is overall appreciative of all the time and effort people are putting into the event.
“We’ve been working off of [an approximate] $75 budget and so we’ve been going everywhere to get donated time, materials, emcee. Everything is coming from people’s hearts and that’s what we want,” said Luckett. And in terms of the models modeling apparel by Creatistic, SCC held a model call in late March, and Luckett explained that the group is also excited and appreciative of the response.
“A lot of people came out from all races […] and actually the whole men’s basketball team, their coach said they’re doing it so we actually have guys to model, which is great because a lot of the times, athletes only work on [their sport]. They never have time to participate with other clubs on campus,” she said.
In addition to models modeling on the runway, Luckett explained that guests can expect live performances from Lewis students, poetry and live spoken word and even Lewis faculty and staff partaking in the event.
“There will be a staff walk and administration walk at the end of the show. It’s just a good way to bring people out to see their teachers get on the catwalk,” said Luckett.
Additionally, a video has been shot by Lewis University Television Network, of students sending their messages of hope and prayer to the people of Haiti, which Luckett explains she hopes to get there.
“We care and we really want to help you as much as we can to rebuild your city because we take a lot of stuff for granted. It’s not forgotten. I know everyone says that it’s died down […] but it’s not going to,” said Luckett.
Overall, Luckett explained that she hopes the event will be a catalyst for students to get more involved on campus and to create a better sense of community all the while raising funds for Haiti relief.
“We want to set the bar for other organizations and for ourselves to make stuff big to let people know what’s going on and to let people outside of Lewis and alumni know that Lewis is trying to do something big and definitely establish credibility for our school,” she said.
Individuals who have purchased the t-shirts being sold can use it as admittance to the fashion show, while tickets will be sold at the door for $10.
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