Once you have decided to stage a Fundraising Fashion Show and Clothes sale how do you ensure it is a success?

To raise funds you need to be able to sell tickets for the fashion show so that you can make money for your school, church or chosen charity.

You must have an idea of the people you want to attract to the event and the amount of money you hope to raise.

Remember you raise funds by

• Ticket sales
• Raffle tickets
• Commission on the fashion show clothes sale

How to Sell Tickets - Allocate each committee member 5 - 10 tickets to sell. They can sell these to friends, neighbours and colleagues, as well as to the members of the school, church or organisation the event is being staged for.

• Maybe a glass of wine can be included in the ticket price.

Remember the more tickets you sell the more people will attend.

Ensure all the children models have a ticket paying parent/guardian in the audience supporting them.
At a school it is worth selling tickets before and after the school day, as the children are delivered and collected from school.

Advertise the Event

• Locally and by word of mouth to get a general hype in the community for the event.
• Consider free publicity before the event by contacting the local newspapers
• Have an entry in the local parish magazine or church newsletter

Recruit Models if needed – they need not be professional! Ladies who will be happy strutting their stuff on the catwalk!
Children models will be needed too.

Organise a Raffle – You only need 3 prizes and all monies from this will add to your overall profit from the evening. People are not averse to spending a pound on an opportunity to win a small gift.

Choosing the Venue.

Ensure the venue is at ground floor level.

Your venue will need to be equipped with chairs, tables, and if possible raised staging to form a catwalk.

Ensure there are plenty of power points in the hall, and that there are rooms available for the audience and models to use as changing areas.

If the venue has spotlights consider using them - it adds atmosphere to the evening.

The Fashion Show Company

Ensure you book a company that has experience in staging large charity events.

Check they have the music, microphone and mirrors.

Ask about their stock, ensure the quality and prices are attractive for your audience. Remember you are receiving commission on the sales, therefore you want people to spend on the night.

Ask how the Fashion Show Company accepts payment for goods. Most companies are now able to accept all the major credit and debit cards as well as cash and cheques.

Keep in regular contact with the Fashion Show Company for advice. They will be working behind the scenes to ensure you have a profitable evening. They want the evening to be successful and will work with you to ensure this.

Ensure it is a success – and you will be so pleased with the result!