Qamar Abdi
On March 31st, one of Western U’s biggest clubs (ever) held the largest charity fashion show the city of London has ever witnessed. It was CAISA’s 14th annual fashion show, but my first. Let’s just say I was blown away from start to finish. The show took place at the London Convention Centre.
As the media coordinator guided me through a still-incoming audience I noticed little monogrammed bags delicately placed on the centre of each of the chairs. I asked her, “Wait you mean like Kiehls, like KIEHLS?” She replied with a laugh and answered me, “Yes.” Not only did each attendee leave with a gift card to the luxury beauty brand, but also received countless samples of their newest and hottest products. The rest if the big-name sponsors include TD Bank, Lexus of London, the Gap, and Aerie. As everyone took their seats the show finally commenced at the 7:30 p.m. mark, opened by the CAISA Executive Director Adrienne Lee and President Sarah Chiu. The night began with a donation of an enormous cheque valued at $20, 000 to the Epigenetics Unit at the Children’s Health Foundation. This marks a special year for the club as they have achieved quite the goal—donating over $100000 to CHF through the years.
The theme this year was simple: IMPU7SE. Why the number seven you may ask? Well this year’s lead was Matt Beal who played a character that had fallen deep into a fantasy world to escape his repetitive and monotonous life. Through each scene he was guided by one of the seven deadly sins: lust, greed, sloth, envy, gluttony, pride, and anger.
The first scene started off with gluttony, which by definition is the habitual eating to excess. However, their was really nothing gluttonous about it. Immediately a group of extremely fit models strutted down the runway showing off their toned legs in party mini’s and dresses with high slits à la Stella McCartney. As the show continued, the story behind each of the 7 deadly sins became more intriguing than the last. After amazing performances by the UWO breakers and our very own hip-hop crew (every member literally dripping in swag), a slew of male models emerged in tailored suits courtesy of Collins Formal Wear in London. The men exuded the utmost confidence throwing money around like candy. But you know what they say, behind every successful man is a woman. It was then, suddenly, the females starting pouring from behind the stage with their smokey eyes, mini skirts and bandage dresses. The girls were emitting pure seduction, in an almost forbidden manner, and the men were totally falling for it. The show was truly living up to its name.
Numerous entertainers took the stage, singing soft ballads and dancing their way into the audiences hearts. When the show came to an end, everything became slowed down and sexy. Sloth was the last sin to emerge of the seven. Models were decked out in slouchy tees, camel chinos and canvas shoes. Throughout the night all I could think of was how everything seemed to come together so effortlessly. The extreme detail into every act was astounding and I really could not imagine the blood, sweat and tears that went into making this show what it was. Congratulations to all the members of CAISA, you did a truly commendable job!
