DUCFS 2017 has landed: Meet the Exec

Durham University’s Charity Fashion Show 2017 has been in the works since early June and with last year’s show selling out in just three seconds, this event is not one to be missed.

February’s show will boast a brand new venue, including top class fashion brands of the calibre never seen before in Durham, big sponsors and exciting launch events.

The committee are thrilled to be supporting The International Rescue Committee, a charity which responds to humanitarian crises all over the world, predominantly in Syria. They provide essential healthcare, food, security and protection for vulnerable men, women and children whose lives have been torn apart by conflict.

The IRC provides safe houses for those in need as well as psychological support to deal with the aftermath of trauma. It also helps communities rebuild their infrastructure and teaches them new skills to ensure sustainability. Furthermore, the charity strives to empower refugees through educating them in ways which enable them to sustainably recover and change the direction of their futures.

They represent a driving force of change which seeks to end the refugee crisis by giving power to the people, and encouraging all citizens to be proud of their uniqueness and of their achievements, however small.

This year’s team are working hard to deliver the biggest and best show to date, President Rowena Soons told The Tab: “2017’s top secret theme shapes everything we are doing creatively with the show this year. Inspired by the way our charity, The International Rescue Committee, promotes supporting local communities to allow people to move themselves forward and forge their own futures in a creative way, we are exploring what inspires our own community to move, act or follow an idea.”

The Tab spoke to the committee to find out what they are ‘following’ today:

Rowena Soons, President, 4th year, St Aidan’s

“I’m following IRC’s Safe Healing and Learning space for women and girls, Vetements global collective, David Bailey’s 60s photography and Paul Thomas Anderson’s film Inherent Vice”

Georgia Gogarty, Vice President, 4th year, Hild Bede

“I’m following H&M x Kenzo collaboration, Rixo London and Syria: Peace is Possible campaign and Kate Bellm photography”

Katharine Johnson, Creative Director, 4th year, Hatfield

“I’m following Dolce and Gabbana’s ‘Napoli’ campaign, Frank Ocean’s ‘Blonde’ and anything Caitlin Moran has ever said”

Katie Smith, Fashion Coordinator, 3rd year, St Aidan’s

“I’m following @adiffbrand: design intervention for global issues and Taylor Hill’s new AW16 campaign for Topshop”

Sophie Kay, Logistics Manager, 4th year, St. Aidan’s

“I’m following the IRC’s Vision not Victim programme, Leandra Medine, founder of Man Repeller and Gordon von Steiner’s projects”

Pippa Prevost-Jones, Treasurer, 2nd year, Castle

“I’m following Olympic Swimmer Yusra Mardini, Lupita Nyong’o in Tiffany & Co’s ‘Legendary Style’ Campaign and Russell and Bromley’s Mirror Metallic Collection”

Ella Phillips, Head of PR and Advertising, 4th year, Chads

“I’m following Maria Grazia Chiuri’s recent move from Valentino to Dior, Alighieri jewellery and Iris Apfel”

Amber Williams, PR and Advertising Representative, 2nd year, Hild Bede

“I’m following Daniel Arsham’s Snarkitecture, Piipline Films and Highsnobiety”

Luciana Di Mascio, Social Media Manager, 4th year, Collingwood

“I’m following Raf Simons move to Calvin Klein, Nick Knight’s SHOWstudio, and DUCFS on Soundcloud”

Olly Petri, Head of Events, 4th year, Cuth’s

“I am following British Fashion Council, Juno Temple and Milo Tchais Street Art”

Charlotte Jaeger, Sponsorship Representative, 3rd year, Hild Bede

“I’m following Emily Soto’s photography, Puma x Rihanna’s collaboration and the Social Outfit refugee project”

Iona Cameron, Sponsorship Representative, 2nd year, Hild Bede

‘I follow Ai Wei Wei’s artistic response to the refugee crisis; i-D mag and VSCO’

Annie Waugh, Front of House Manager, 3rd year, Castle

“I am following Kate Moss X Calvin Klein Collab and Johny Dar’s Jeans for Refugees”

Charlotte Bresnahan, Auction and Raffle, 2nd Year, Hatfield

“I’m following Global Music Project, Balmain x H&M, Pink Pony Fund by Ralph Lauren and Conde Nast”

Jimmy Lee, Webmaster, 3rd year, Castle

“I follow the IOC and IPC for the Olympic and Paralympic movements and their support for the refugee team”

The team will be looking for creatives, photographers, graphic designers, videographers and more. If you would like to work in a creative partnership with DUCFS please get in touch by emailing [email protected] or [email protected]

To keep up to date with upcoming events, model castings, and ticket information visit and like the DUCFS 2017 Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Soundcloud pages.

DUCFS 2016 photo credit: Siena Morrell