Van Mildert Charity Fashion Show

Van Mildert once again geared itself up for its annual charity fashion show, choosing the Teenage Cancer Trust fund as their charity of choice, and was sponsored by the likes of Marks & Spencer, Next and TopShop. The theme was “A Journey Through London”, a marginal step up from last year’s “A Year in Durham”.

Basing each walk off a station was an idea that felt slightly overdone, but there was a definite bonus in the novelty of the customized welcome announcement made by Emma Clarke herself. Conveniently, the bar was situated right next door and was definitely being made good use of by audience and models alike. Thoughtful goody bags filled with all sorts of fair-trade products sat on the tables for our perusal and el vino flowed liberally into our glasses. The excitement was palpable.

The show kicked off with a graceful dance number by Van Mildert’s own dance troupe representing King’s Cross, though I couldn’t quite find the connection between arguably the world’s most famous railway station and the choreography. Next up was Canary Wharf, represented obviously in business attire.

My personal favorite was Alex Woolhouses’ slick Sloane Square strut, a walk playfully caricatured with ridiculous short-shorts and rugby jumpers that sadly wouldn’t have looked that much out of place on a Shack Wednesday. An unfortunate technical difficulty momentarily halted the show twenty minutes in, but we hailed it as a testimony to the theme. Besides, the interlude only conveniently provided the audience with an opportunity to grab last minute booze rounds, swarming to the bar not like rush hour at Oxford Circus.

Now with the audience thoroughly boozed up, the show resumed as normal before Charity organiser Freya Bromley stepped on stage and told us the moving tale of her brother’s battle with cancer, who was the inspiration behind their chosen charity this year. It was an important (albeit sobering) reminder of the night’s true purpose, and Freya’s touching speech really emphasized the community spirit behind this event.

As the night went on, something else became incredibly apparent: Van Mildert, you have a lot of talent.

From the versatile dance numbers to the awesome rendition of Flume and Chet Faker’s “Drop the Game” by Ellie George and Helena Youde, it was very refreshing to see the talent getting just as much support as the models themselves. I was also glad that Notting Hill had been represented through a vibrant dance, and not simply as a glorification of reggae culture.

Adorably camp compères Paul and Elly also get special mention for helping run the night as smoothly as possible despite the technical difficulties, and nonetheless for reading out a cheeky text-in that would’ve dropped the jaws of Durham Femsoc.

Of course, no uni fashion show is complete without a swimwear or underwear walk, and Van Mildert did not disappoint. Waterloo saw the models oiled up and in board shorts and bikinis whilst the appropriately Victoria Secret themed “Angel” station received raucous, boozy cheer and even standing ovations by abdominal enthusiasts that carried on until the end as models in lacy underwear and little wings walked proudly down the runway.

As people stumbled out of their chairs ready to hit (or at least attempt to) the afterparty at Wiff Waff, I think it’s safe to say that although the fashion itself was average at best, it was clearly not the focus of the show.

Instead, the night saw the college getting together and supporting their fellow students in boozy revelry to support a worthy cause. Thanks Mildert, I’ll gladly stop by again.

Photography by Dan Thompson