John Culatto
Over £1,600 has been raised for Alameda Wildlife Park at a charity fashion show at Dusk nightclub in Ocean Village.
The popular venue was turned into a tropical rainforest for the night, where local clothing stores showed off what would be hot this summer.
Recycling was also a theme as Gibraltar’s youth modelled clothes from The Clubhouse charity shop and jewellery created from bits of rubbish. For more information on the “Rags to Riches” campaign, find them on Facebook at Youth.gi
“We were beyond excited to hold this fashion show to raise funds and awareness for the Alameda Wildlife Park,” said Emilia Hazell-Smith, Ocean Village Marketing and Events Executive.
“Thanks to our main sponsors, Capurro Motors and Eroski Gibraltar and all of our volunteers that we were able to put on a fantastic show to raise significant funds for the Alameda Wildlife Park.”
Monkeying about
The wildlife park, which is part of the Alameda Gardens, giving a home for exotic animals freed by customs officers.
It has grown in size over the years housing parrots, tortoises and monkeys. It also raises awareness about important endangered species and takes part in captive breeding programmes.
With a lot of the work carried out by volunteers it has become an educational area for local schoolchildren to learn about different creatures.
“This event was something completely different for the us to be involved in, but it was a great success!” exclaimed Jessica Leaper from the Alameda Wildlife Park. “It was also an amazing opportunity for us to introduce the sustainable fashion concept in Gibraltar.
“The Youth Group did fantastic job upcycling clothes from the Clubhouse charity shop. The money raised from this event will make an important contribution to our Overground Project at the park.”
Much of the cash raised at the fashion show will go towards the Alameda Overground Project. These tunnels and walk-ways along the trees is expected to benefit the primate population of the park and give visitors a more exciting experience.
Winners everywhere
The evening of fashion boasted three different styles of clothing from local retailer Marble Arc, with fantastic looks created for Festival/Party Wear, Casual Wear and Formal Attire. Mayfair on Main created some truly wild hair and make up creations for the Future Agency models, who were directed by Raygan Martinez from RA Productions.
Gibraltar band PRNCPL entertained the crowd, as staff handed out some delicious vegan and vegetarian canapes from a selection of restaurants at Ocean Village: Wagamama, Las Iguanas and Café Fresco.
The event ended with grand prize raffle with over 15 prizes kindly donated from local companies.
They included stunning rose gold earrings from Swarovski, several bottles of bubbly from Stagnetto, a £75 voucher from Little Bay Indian Restaurant, a night on Sunborn Hotel Gibraltar for 2 people and tickets for Gibraltar Calling.
