By Matt Lee

Durham has, once again, displayed its commitment to charitable events by raising £7,000 according to early estimates. This entire fund raising success was thanks to the University Charity Fashion show which took centre stage for a record breaking blitz of glitz and glamour during the last two days of January.

Organisers made their intentions for the twenty-eighth annual DUCFS clear from the outset; a black tie event that would herald a ‘return to glamour’. Their choice of location certainly reflected these ambitions with a grand marquee on Palace Green the venue for both nights.

They also selected the Teenage Cancer Trust, specifically the teenage cancer wing of the nearby Freemans Hospital, as the recipient of all the money raised.

It was soon obvious that there was to be no shortage of enthusiasm. Final night VIP tickets were sold out in three days and the final show was slightly oversold so as not to disappoint demand.

The event itself displayed a diverse collection of clothing ranges that included high-street brands such as River Island, ASOS and Zara. Student designers were also given the opportunity to style and strut their stuff. ‘Verelst Designs’ and ‘Chet Alexander’ were just two of the ranges compiled exclusively by fashion literate Durham students.

Nitisha, a student from Grey college and one of the thirty four models involved this year, said ‘it was an amazing experience, it was so good to see so many people there.’

Besides the catwalk action there were also enjoyable reminders of the worthy cause that would benefit from the money raised. A final night auction and raffle contributed £2,500 with £300 from a group of lucky girls who are to be treated to dinner by four of the models.

Overall six hundred people attended the event with the majority more than impressed. As the President of the organising committee, Briony Chappell, commented ‘one of the best compliments we received after the show was that it was ground breaking’.

DUCK officer Archie Dallas added, ‘it’s incredible that students put this much time and effort into raising a phenomenal amount of money for charity’.

The best acclaim came from the audience of the event, some of whom raved that it was ‘just like watching a catwalk in Paris or Milan’.

Both the responses and money raised indicates that future students are unlikely to be disappointed that the Charity Fashion show has now established itself.