Fashion / Charity fashion show
Student fashion event to raise money for mental health sufferers
Since its inception by a group of University of Bristol students in 2003, FUZE has combined the talents of local young people across dance, music and fashion to showcase creativity in the city and raise money for charity.
Over one weekend in March, three incredible fashion shows will take place in the tunnels at The Loco Club alongside stalls selling independent local produce from fashion to food, with all proceeds going towards this year’s chosen charity, Second Step.
Fashion event FUSE 2020 will raise money for local mental health charity Second Step. Photography by Alice Sutton
FUZE director Julia Zervos said: “Second Step was an obvious choice this year. Their work to support and raise awareness towards the importance of mental health within Bristol is so key and indeed a prevalent subject for Bristol’s students.
is needed now More than ever
“Considering the heart-breaking suicides amongst the student body over the past few years, raising awareness for mental health has never been so important and FUZE would like to join in this battle to remove the stigma surrounding mental health and demonstrate our support.”
With a theme of Metamorphosis and the Butterfly effect, FUZE hope to change the way mental health is perceived and start a conversation to inspire positive change.
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“The arts are a language; a method of communication amongst people to relay topics otherwise hard to discuss, such as mental health,” says Julia.
Isabella Trouerbach, co-fashion director of FUZE 2020, added: “Fashion for me is a unique form of expression. I’ve always had a passion for fashion since I was a young girl and joining FUZE has been a great opportunity.
“This year we aim to display the Metamorphosis theme explicitly through hair and makeup and inexplicably through the contrastive colours and styles of our chosen designers.
Looks inspired by the Metamorphosis – Butterfly Effect theme at this years FUSE show
“The theme ties in so wonderfully with our chosen charity, Second Step, as their aim is to support those who are struggling and help them transition to a happier self and this will be mirrored in the way that the models will transition in their mode of dress.”
Each year the FUZE community goes through a transformation itself, as a fresh crop of students step into FUZE’s Manolo Blahniks as their contemporary’s move on to graduate.
Running independently from the student union at University of Bristol, FUZE has no affiliation from the University of Bristol, the only university connection are the students themselves.
“There are no grown-ups involved,” laughs Pippa Adamthwaite-Cook, director of marketing at FUZE and a UoB theatre student. “Everyone involved in the showcase and fashion shoots are students studying anything from languages to theatre. It’s so much fun and really nice to be part of.”
FUSE Team up with higher end local shops and independents that offer both new and pre-loved fashion items
“FUZE is fully student run, we are not getting paid and there is no support from the uni, we are all learning on the job, it’s so exciting.”
“We have students from first years to graduates and international students who get involved to learn about marketing and running events, all students are welcome to join us and there’s always something to do!” adds Pippa.
After many years of hard work, FUZE has gained a good reputation as a non-profit organization and this year’s show is sponsored by both Red Bull and Candy Kittens gourmet sweets.
Teaming up with higher end local shops and independents that offer both new and pre-loved fashion items, the FUZE team also curate pre-show fashion shoots to expose talents of local models, stylists and creatives.
“We want to create that edgy side of Bristol fashion in our shoots and shows and mix our own styles with vintage and high fashion items from Bristol based shops,” explains Pippa.
“We scout all our models locally around Bristol and recently did a photo shoot under the M32, next to the skate park, using vintage designer garments from Jacobs on Park Street.
“The fashion team direct the shoots and local photographers, including Alice Sutton and UoB graduate Max Fullerton, bring their own styles too. It’s so nice to work with them!”
With high fashion stores like Cabot Circus’s Garment Quarter involved in the show, FUZE are starting to move away from their fast fashion roots that saw them working with high street corporates and want to encourage local designers and brands to get involved too.
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“High street brands like Topshop don’t need to be showcased and are not as sustainable as an independent might be,” says Pippa.
“We want to showcase clothes that Bristol students want to wear and would love to support more ethical, slow fashion and to have local independent brands involved, we are very open to anyone who wants to showcase their clothes to get in touch!”
The showcase itself will feature a fashion show where each brand gets their own runway walk to highlight their designs. For local indies who don’t yet have enough of a collection to feature in the catwalk show, there is also the opportunity to join the FUZE marketplace.
By renting a stall at the show the marketplace offers indies a platform to share their designs alongside other local businesses and fashion brands including student streetwear brand Young Goat, artist Maisie Prints and depop seller Mimi garms.
“Depop is massive with students and we have a couple of local sellers taking part in the runway show too!”, adds Pippa.
“The main focus for FUZE 2020 is to raise more money for the Second Step charity and as it’s a local charity, we also get to visit them to see where the money is going, which is great!”
“With the Metamorphisis and the Butterfly effect themes we want to encourage discovering your true self, growing and making a positive change and highlight the progression for our brand too”.
FUZE 2020: Metamorphosis – The Butterfly Effect takes place at the Loco Klub from March 13-15. For tickets and more information, visit fixr.co/event/649719781
All photography by Alice Sutton
Read our fashion editor Emma’s blog, No Debutante
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