A popular fashion show and creative showcase is returning this August, organised by UQ medical students fundraising to buy medical equipment for developing countries.
The TIME Charity Fashion Show has been organised by Towards International Medical Equality (TIME), a student-led not-for-profit organisation from The University of Queensland with a vision for a world where the gross health inequalities no longer exist.
The show, in its sixth year, aims to showcase Brisbane’s most influential up-and-coming talents in the fields of fashion, music and photography. It will be held on August 24.
“As a charity run solely by university students, our main source of funds comes from fundraisers like this show,” TIME Vice-President and UQ medical student Thienminh Dinh.
A group of medical students established TIME after recognising an overwhelming need for basic medical supplies that are often taken for granted in Australia.
“We want to empower young Australians to make a tangible difference in the realisation of health equality,” said Thienminh.
“Struggling medical centres in developing countries are often forced to reuse needles, increasing the risk of blood-borne diseases like hepatitis, HIV and viral haemorrhagic fevers.”
Medical students who are preparing for overseas elective placement contact the hospitals directly to assess what is needed.
The students then take over crutches, wheelchairs, beds, scalpels, syringes, gloves, medical textbooks – anything that the hospitals require.
The TIME Charity Fashion Show will feature seven collections, including those from established designers Rhaman Donovan (2009 Billabong Designer of the Year) and Kate Anderson.
A group of QUT Fashion graduates will also be showcased, including Holly Ryan Jewellery, a favourite of fashion store Blonde Venus who has blown away the Brisbane fashion scene with her handcrafted silver jewellery; Jacqueline Curran, the 2012 QUT/Westfield Couture Academy winner and Katrina Gaskin.
Collections from the Brisbane Arts Theatre (Queensland’s longest running community theatre company) and Sunday Social Vintage will be also be featured.
Brisbane photographer, Henry Coughlin said his decision to participate in the project was not only swayed by the great charity, but also as an opportunity to collaborate with some of Brisbane’s brightest up-and-coming creatives.
Henry Coughlin was named Queensland Photography Student of the Year in 2011 and, since graduating, has been recognised with seven Queensland AIPP awards, four national AIPP awards and numerous international awards.
Headlining the show will be up-and-coming Brisbane bands Astrid & The Asteroids and Hven.
“We couldn’t be more excited to do this for the worthwhile cause,” said lead singer Astrid Jorgensen.
Thieminh said the event had become a standout on the Brisbane social calendar, not just in terms of attendance but also in the context of raising funds for global health initiatives.
“We’ve had an overwhelming amount of support from individuals and companies in Brisbane, in particular our sponsors Henry Coughlin Photography, Azorah Hair Bar, The MET, Christine Quach Make-Up and MDA National,” she said.
The TIME Charity Fashion Show will be held at The MET in Fortitude Valley on Friday, August 24, with doors opening at 6pm.
Pre-sale tickets can be purchased from timeuq.iwannaticket.com.au and cost $15 for TIME members and $17 for non-members. Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $20. All funds go towards TIME’s medical aid, Indigenous, maternal and refugee health projects.
MEDIA: Thienminh Dinh (TIME Events Vice-President) and Catherine Bella (TIME Fashion Show Media Coordinator) at fashion@timeuq.org
