THE LANCE
October 3, 2012

Windsor fashion designers are putting their threads on the catwalk of a fashion show set to support a local charity and expose homegrown talent.

The Windsor-Essex branch of Victorian Order of Nurses is hosting Exposure Art and Fashion Exhibition this Thursday at the St. Clair Centre for the Arts. The second annual event is VON’s largest fundraiser. Last year’s event raised about $5,000 for the organization’s Detour program, aimed at improving respite care for the elderly. Thursday’s instalment will benefit their Supportive Housing and Home Health programs.

“It’s going to be like no other fashion show anyone’s ever seen in Windsor,” said Lana Bezjak, one of the organizers and VON’s public relations and communications assistant. Bezjak cited terms like glam and modern to describe the all-white themed evening fashion show.

“We are advertising a lot more this year, and also it helps that people know about the event,” said Bezjak.

The runway will again be filled with clothes from Windsor designers Ana Stulic, Elaine
Chatwood and Cardigan Kid. New designers coming on board this year include Dilly Daisy, Forget the Joneses and Ringweavers.

“She has a very retro look. It was very 60s, 70s inspired. It’s very cute her stuff and it’s
very feminine,” said Bezjak of Dilly Daisy’s clothing.

Local shops such as BVogue Boutique, At Ease Men’s Apparel and secondhand store Priced Green will have their products featured as well.

“With the designers this year, everyone has a totally different look,” said fashion designer and Exposure organizer Ana Stulic. “We have a lot more men’s clothing this year … We have Priced Green, which is a bit different, which is a thrift store. I think it’s perfect for young people on a budget who can still be stylish.”

It’s going to be like no other fashion show in Windsor. -Lana Bezjak

Stulic brings her own fashion line to the runway, featuring men’s clothing for the first time. “With this collection, I got it [manufactured overseas], which is really exciting for me. So I invested all my pennies into that.”

The event will also feature a silent auction, cash bar, h’orderves, as well as fine art and
photography from a local artists Lorenz Brochert, Nora Franko, Tracey Rogers, Alexander Knox Tavolieri-Essex, Dante Fanelli, Krista Sobocan, Domenico Lella and Johnny Qare.

Both Stulic and Bezjak agree that local designers and artists need to be showcased, and having shows like Exposure are useful for getting the word out.

“It’s a win-win for everybody who is part of this event,” said Bezjak, who expects about 200 people at the exhibition. “For them (local designers) to get an opportunity to be part of the show, where they have a lot viewers, is priceless for them.”

“[Exposure] is something that drives in the young people … I think it’s really special thing to see young people are going to an event that is solely revolving around the elderly people in the community who very much need our help.”