Expression Fashion Gala

The Expression Fashion Gala is an annual event held in partnership between Stonnington Youth Services and The Butterfly Foundation, a national organisation supporting Australians with eating disorders and negative body image. Beginning in 2007, the Expression Fashion Gala will run for the fifth time in 2012, on Friday 1 June.

The Expression Fashion Gala provides people aged 14-25 with an opportunity to organise and participate in a professional fashion parade - the Gala - while at the same time promoting positive body image and celebrating diversity of body shapes and sizes. A committee of young people beginning meeting on a weekly basis from January each year to organise the Gala, which showcases the work of up and coming designers, young people with a particular passion for fashion, and the creativity of local makeup and hairdressing students.

Tickets are on sale NOW through Chapel off Chapel ticketing.  Click here to buy tickets.  Tickets are $15+bf, with $5 from every ticket going directly to The Butterfly Foundation.

For more information or to register your interest in participating as a committee member or designer, please contact Youth Services by email or Ph: 03 8290 7020.  Alternatively you can download a registration form, complete and return to Youth Services.

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Registration form for committee members (130.50 KB)

Registration form for designers (132.00 KB)

Registration form for artists (132.50 KB)

Feedback from previous participants...

Laura McKellar 

I have been involved in Expression for two years, both exhibiting work and being the graphic designer for the events. During these years I have had the chance to work with a young & creative committee of fashion designers, as well as promote my own illustration and design work. It has been a really fabulous experience as I have made connections with enthusiastic and inspiring local designers and on top of that been given further opportunities to work on other jobs for people in need of promotional design pieces. Stonnington Youth Services has supported me wholeheartedly through my design process and I am very proud of the promotional posters and pieces created for them. I am currently working in a studio in Chinatown doing freelance illustration and design. You can see my work including the Expression designs on my website www.lauramckellar.com.

Linda Vydra 

I became involved in the Fashion Gala as it was a great opportunity to get an insight into the industry and meet similar like-minded people. As part of the committee we meet every week to discuss and plan the Fashion Gala. From the experience I was able to have my pieces in my first fashion parade and gain some valuable skills in organising a Fashion parade. I am currently studying Applied Fashion Design and Technology at RMIT- Brunswick whilst working on my own business, Lydra, which I started in June of this year. Lydra is a bespoke clutch purse, which draws the eye and captures the imagination. The clutches are made from pre-loved fabrics such as bed throws, curtains, pillowcases, table clothes and upholstery. Lydra is currently stocked at Handworks, 244 Chapel St and online at www.lydra.com.au.

Steven Boon 

I am privileged to have been involved in the industry now for four years, beginning by volunteering to work in the design department of a boutique manufacturer in Bali, Indonesia; working as a design assistant volunteer for Oakley; and now having been fortunate enough to have worked a stint with Viktor & Rolf and exhibited my work at Melbourne's Motorola Fashion Week under my independent label BOON (www.boonclothing.com). The expression fashion gala was the foundation from where all things grew. Having been a part of the Gala now for two consecutive years I have been provided with opportunities unlike any other and it has provided exposure to many young designers through covers and spreads within magazines and newspapers including the Stonnington Leader, Melbourne Weekly and the mX just to name a few. We have had the opportunity through being a committee member and designer to meet some of Stonnington's leading designers including the likes of Jenny Bannister. I could not encourage you enough to be a part of such an opportunity where you will meet and exchange ideas with young talent in the same industry as well as talented young graduates and undergraduates of other fields including the business and graphic arts sectors. It is an advantageous experience for any young ambitious individual to be a part of.