Staff from Hillingdon Council and students from Uxbridge College got together to support a fundraising fashion show for the Mayor of Hillingdon Cllr Allan Kauffman.

The ‘Cast offs to Catwalk’ event kicked off with members of staff from Hillingdon Council appearing on the catwalk as film characters and stars from the 1960s – Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, ‘Mrs Robinson’ from The Graduate, and Janet Leigh from Psycho were among them.

The costumes were put together by students from Frock and Roll - a vintage styling, hair and make up business set up by production arts students - using items from charity shops on Uxbridge High Street. The event was supported by a range of businesses and organisations, with intu Uxbridge as the main sponsor.

The show, held in the Middlesex Suite at the Civic Centre, also included original artworks by students being auctioned, a shoe box raffle, entertainment by tribute Elvis Gary Roman, and a fashion show by first year Level 3 fashion students with designs inspired by the theme of a 1960s space age. Graphic design students played a key part in the marketing as they did all the ticket, poster and programme design. Around 250 guests attended.

Laraine Smith OBE, Principal of Uxbridge College, said: “This was a real success both in terms of successful fundraising and in bringing together students from across the college to do something for the community. It is a great illustration about how much can be achieved for a good cause by the students with their skills, enthusiasm and commitment. It also gave them a change to gain excellent industry experience as they were working to a live brief for a public event.”

Around 200 students from across the college on courses including performing arts, theatrical make-up & costume design and art and design took part to make the show a success. The venue was held, was decorated with original artworks and installations, as well as outfits made by fashion students displayed on mannequins. It was also filmed by media students.

Money was raised for the NSPCC as part of Mayor of Hillingdon’s Rainbow Charity Appeal through sales of tickets for the event as well as the raffle, auction of student art works and sales of items made by students.