If you’ve ever struggled to style thrifted clothes, an event in Dawson City might inspire you.
The town’s thrift store held its first-ever fashion show last Friday in its more than 40-year history.
About 20 volunteer models — including kids — walked the runway showcasing dozens of creative second-hand outfits.
The event was jointly organized by the Dawson City Thrift Store and the Willow Foundation Dawson City to raise funds for the community.
Gaby Sgaga says she decided to volunteer as a model to support the organizers she knows — but also for the opportunity it presented.
“Who doesn’t want to be a runway model?” Sgaga said.
“And it’s for a good cause. So it’s a double win.”
Gaby Sgaga showcased two sets of the outfit. Her second outfit combines glitter with a lumberjack jacket under the theme “glitz and casual.” (Hyunjung Kim/CBC)
Most of Sgaga’s clothes are second-hand as she believes in the importance of recycling.
“You could really find some good quality clothes second-hand, and you’re also helping people and the planet,” Sgaga said.
For Sandy Jung, whose hobby is cosplay, the runway was familiar, but for Amandeep Kaur, it was a nerve-wracking stage. Still, she enjoyed a rare chance to show off her fashion in Dawson.
“I feel afraid to wear the high heels outside on the road … but here is the chance that you can wear these shoes. I like my dress and I feel pretty,” Kaur said.
Amandeep Kaur and Sandy Jung pose at the Dawson City Thrift Store Fashion Show. Jung says she will participate next year as well if she has a chance. (Hyunjung Kim/CBC)
Nine-year-old Esmé Winton and eight-year-old Olive Dewell dominated the show, although they said they felt scared at first.
The two friends picked their own outfits from the thrift store and have already established their own styles.
“When my mom chooses my outfit, I always change it,” Winston said.
Olive Dewell and Esmé Winton pose at the fashion show. Winton found the moment exciting, adding that she always welcomes the chance to perform due to her love for acting. (Hyunjung Kim/CBC)
One of the event’s coordinators, River Doucette, says the show empowered the models.
“And that’s just what we wanted, right?” Doucette said.
“We want the community to get together and just have a great night, especially when the weather’s getting cold.”
A live auction
The fashion show included live auctions where people raised paddles while the models walked the runway.
Leah Payne was one of the most active bidders.
“I don’t make it to the thrift store a lot actually because I happen to not be around during the hours it’s open. So this is a really fun way to see some of the things that they have,” Payne said.
Natasha Henderson won a leopard print jacket which she’s excited to see what she can do with “this amazing vintage piece of clothing from Canadian history.”
A crowd of about a hundred people raised auction paddles for the models’ outfits. (Hyunjung Kim/CBC)
To Henderson, the Deacon of St. Paul’s Church, to which the thrift store is closely connected, each garment has a history.
“They’re all worn by someone else somewhere else, and they made their way here,” she said.
“It’s just wonderful to be part of that garment’s life.”
Laurie Berglund says the event was about more than just the clothes and helped build community connections. (Hyunjung Kim/CBC)
With the success of the thrift store’s inaugural fashion show, Laurie Berglund, one of the founders and directors of the Willow Foundation, is hoping it will become annual.
“I am very excited, ecstatic actually. It’s definitely going to be something that we do on a yearly basis,” Berglund said.
