The Turks and Caicos Islands Red Cross celebrated its 55th year in these islands with the sizzling Red Hot Fashion Show held at the Palms Resort on Providenciales on Saturday, November 5.
The highlight of the evening for many was the inclusion as runway models of Mandy Dakin, the TCI Red Cross Patron and wife Governor Nigel Dakin, Deputy Governor Her Excellency Anya Williams, Minister of Tourism Hon. Josephine Connolly and Minister of Infrastructure Development Hon. Jamell Robinson.
The deputy governor and the infrastructure minister each modeled with their daughter, while Connolly modeled solo. The slate of models also included Lisa Hall, wife of former finance minister Floyd Hall and her adult daughter, Loren.
The models appeared in four segments – Sporty; Island Chic; Evening Wear and Red Hot Fashions, where they all graced the stage in red apparel. They then ended with a stage finale, where the models and volunteers paraded before the large and appreciative audience.
Patron Dakin said the event was topnotch.
“I don’t think it could have gone any better. I was impressed by everybody’s effort in turning out as volunteers, as models, people who gave up their time, and it is a lot of time to hang around and get dressed. And then all the people that came out to support. And then the pledges seemed to go crazy.
“Obviously, there has been a lot of work behind the scenes with the director, the chairman, all the volunteers, trying to get things ready. And literally, in the last three days, we have just been here every day, just checking…everybody ironing clothes, labeling clothes, pricing clothes…it was a lot of work,” Dakin said.
She said many persons, up until Friday, November 4, were still donating clothes, and so, the volunteers had to go through them, price them, iron them and then arrange them.
“It was a real all round team effort, and with the Red Cross, a lot of the volunteers work full time as well, so, the fact that they actually find time to sacrifice to come and help is amazing,” she said.
Daking also stated that local designers played a great role in fashioning some of the clothes worn by some of the models, including Her Excellency Deputy Governor Any Williams, who disclosed that the event was stunning.
“Today for me was stepping out of my usual box and debuting my first-time modeling career,” Williams said. But I think what made it special for me was that my daughter is here to share that experience.”
She added: “I am always happy to give back, and the Red Cross is one of the NGOs in the Turks and Caicos Islands that’s the most active, particularly during the hurricane season, they are always willing and ready to be called upon.
“So, this fundraising initiative is designed to assist them in raising funds, so they can continue the initiatives that they do throughout the year, and I am so happy to be part of it.
“I just want to congratulate the organizers for a job well done, and I look forward going to this event in future years to come.”
Williams said she was happy with the turnout and the level of pledges and donations made. She also urged for continued support of the Red Cross, both in cash and kind.
In the meantime, Minister Robinson told reporters that showing off his modeling skills on runway was part of his comfort zone.
“As you know, modeling is deep in my blood, as the younger brother of the world-famous Courtney Robinson. This is nothing new to me, I have been around this for all my life essentially, so I was happy when I got the call to participate,” he said, also calling for volunteers and continued donations for the Red Cross and other NGOs.
“I heard that there were over 300 tickets sold…I don’t know if they heard I was going to be here or not,” the minister bantered. “The crowd was lovely…very encouraging to all of the models.”