Fashion Show Makes A Statement
July 11, 2007
High fashion was the order of the day when foster children from North Wales made a statement with their version of haute couture, supported by leading foster care agency, Foster Care Associates (FCA).
Using only bin bags and packaging, the young people created a collection of alternative fashion garments, to mark the success of the campaign ‘This is NOT a Suitcase’, launched in Wales during National Care Leavers’ Week in October 2006.
The Refuse Collection fashion show was part of a reception held last week in Conwy which highlighted the progress of the campaign and paid tribute to councils in Wales that have signed up to the No Bin Bag Charter/Siarter Dim Bagiau Bin. The event was attended by young people, foster carers and representatives from local authorities in North Wales. It aimed to highlight the undignified practice of looked after young people moving their possessions from home to home in refuse sacks.
Statement garments for the catwalk were designed and created during a series of workshops, headed up by FCA’s regional marketing officer, Emma Davies. Emma who was herself a design student from Liverpool University, commented: “The effort which went into creating the costumes is a true reflection of the passion the young people feel about this campaign.
“If we are to influence opinion and help end the use of bin bags, it is the role of organisations such as FCA to champion the rights of looked after children. We hope our joint efforts will encourage many more local authorities across North Wales to collectively bring about change.”
FCA director for North Wales Mick Sams said: “Signing the No Bin Bag charter demonstrates commitment from local authorities and independent service providers and, is an important first step; we need to see this translated into policy and action so that we can say with confidence following this campaign that no child in care or care leaver will ever be asked to move their most personal possession around in bin bags again.”
