Zootopia's "Try Everything" was a fitting theme song for the models who strutted their stuff on the catwalk at the youth-organised Spring Fashion Show held at South Coast Anglican College last Saturday, September 21.
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The collaboration between SCAC students Kassie Shipton and Amy De Friskbom, who are taking part in the YWCA Youth Frontiers program, and The Disability Trust proved anything is possible, especially with the perfect combination and the will to try everything.
On discovering Kassie and Amy planned to stage a fashion parade as part of their Youth Frontiers project, community connections manager at Disability Trust Peter Harvey jumped at the idea. Especially considering Katie Harris who lives with Down syndrome has aspirations of becoming a model and wanted her chance to test out the runway.
Supporting Katie to realise her dreams, Peter said The Disability Trust formed the 'Diva' group made up of aspiring like-minded young women. The small group had been getting together doing what Peter described as "model stuff" like hair and make up, but he said they were missing the real experience.
"There was something more we wanted to foster and bring out in each young woman. When we heard about the girls at SCAC we knew it would be the perfect opportunity."
Pretty soon model and Miss Planet Australia representative Krysta Heath was on board and the show was up and running. Krysta spent the morning putting the models through their paces before they hit the catwalk on Saturday afternoon.
"Krysta taught them how to walk, to express their personalities and how to control nerves on the catwalk. What we also saw from the models was heartwarming and invaluable. Their strengths and personalities shone through and that was important, " Mr Harvey said.
YWCA Youth Frontiers Program coordinator for the South Coast Jodie Stewart said the student organisers demonstrated incredible leadership skills and initiative through coordinating the event.
In between receiving a standing ovation and before taking their bows, each model told the crowd what they got out of the experience.
Although the answers varied, the common thread of self confidence, pride and "try everything" made sure there wasn't a dry eye left in the room.
