Wellington's Women's Refuges to benefit from "Frock On" fashion parade and auction

Wellington Women’s Refuge and Te Whare Rokiroki Maori Women’s Refuge will be the beneficiaries of the 5 December "Frock On" fashion parade and charity auction at the Old Bank Arcade.

Top designers and retailers, including Andrea Moore, Robyn Mathieson, Jane Daniels, Starfish, The Mews, Voon, de Nada, Reign, Helen Ryan and Dryberg Kern have donated clothing and accessories for the fashion parade (and there are still more to come). All clothes will be auctioned on the night, with proceeds going directly to the Refuges. A full wedding package, Caci Clinic appearance medicine package and Annah Stretton styling session for 10 are also among the many items up for grabs on the night.

Frock On began life as an event to benefit Dress for Success, however circumstances arose that meant they had to pull out at the eleventh hour. Frock On's sponsors, Wellington businesses The Chameleon Project and Cre8tive Events are thrilled that Wellington Women’s Refuge and Te Whare Rokiroki Maori Women’s Refuge have stepped in to benefit.

"Frock On is an excellent way to use fashion to help highlight the domestic violence that will affect the lives of one-third of women in New Zealand, and pretty much every designer and merchant we've approached has been keen to help," says Jenny Alexander, Director of The Chameleon Project. "We are absolutely stoked that the Wellington Women's Refuges will benefit from such a fantastic night.

"Plus it's a great way to kick-start your Christmas shopping!" she laughs.

But Christmas isn't only a time to think about shopping, and Wellington Women’s Refuge Manager Philippa McAtee says that the timing for this event is ideal. "This couldn’t have come at a better time for us," says Ms McAtee. "This is a time of the year when there is huge demand for our support and we are really stretched for resources.”

Ms Alexander has also been impressed at the level of cross-party political support she has received for the event.

"Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown, the Minister of Women's Affairs and Councillors and MPs from just about every party are coming to this party," she says. "The Mayor will be taking to the catwalk, and we've had auction items donated by everyone from the Greens to the Prime Minister. It's wonderful to see so many different groups coming together to support this great cause."

Frock On will be held on 5 December at the Old Bank Arcade in Wellington. Tickets are $30 and include a glass of bubbles and nibbles throughout the evening. Doors open at 6 to view the silent auction items and the fashion parade will kick off around 7.

To see what else is happening at Frock On or to purchase tickets, please visit www.thechameleonproject.co.nz, www.cre8tive.net.nz or http://www.dashtickets.co.nz/category/lifestyle/fundraiser

To learn more about the work that Wellington Women’s Refuge and Te Whare Rokiroki Maori Women’s Refuge do in the Wellington Community to provide support, information and advocacy to survivors of domestic violence, please visit www.womensrefuge.org.nz
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