The first Fashion at McGlashan was held in the Chapel at the end of August. Our HoD Drama, Kimberley Fridd, talks us through how the event came about and runs us through the night.
The lights dimmed, the music swelled, and the McGlashan College Chapel was transformed. What you saw on that runway wasn't just fashion; it was the culmination of a long-held dream, a celebration of creativity, and a testament to the power of community. The inaugural Fashion at McGlashan event was a resounding success, and it all began with a simple idea.
As a drama teacher, I've always been drawn to how spaces can be used to tell a story, and the Chapel's grandeur was the perfect backdrop for this spectacle. And as any teacher knows, our style is one of the few ways we get to express ourselves at work, so a fashion show felt like the perfect fit.
From the start, the vision for this event was clear: it had to be more than just a show. It had to be a genuine showcase of creativity in all its forms, designed to push students out of their comfort zones and into the spotlight. It was about creating an inclusive space where students, parents, and staff could connect, and a bridge between our school and the wider community. We were fortunate to partner with incredible local businesses and sponsors, who helped us bring this vision to life.
A key part of my vision was to reach beyond our own student body and foster a broader community of young creatives. The Patagonia Chocolates Upcycled Couture section was created with this in mind. This exciting competition challenged students from any local school —not just John McGlashan College — to source and assemble a second -hand outfit from local recycled stores. The aim was to celebrate creativity and sustainability by giving pre-loved fabrics and clothes a second chance. It was inspiring to see the incredible talent on display. A huge congratulations to our winners, selected from ten outstanding finalists from schools across Dunedin: Gemma Lloyd (1st), Reuben Tulloch (2nd), and Oszkār Burt and Scarlett Brimble (3rd).
At its heart, the Fashion at McGlashan event was about championing the arts and creativity. Every ticket sold and every dollar raised goes directly to our JMC Arts Hub. This space will be a haven for our students—a place where they can explore their talents, experiment with new ideas, and truly realise their creative dreams. Supporting the arts is how we empower our rangatahi to become the innovators and storytellers of tomorrow.
A year ago I seriously pitched the idea of Fashion at McGlashan to a couple of our wonderful McGlashan mothers and from that point forward our committee was assembled and worked tirelessly behind the scenes pulling the event together. I have to thank our awesome committee consisting of Amanda Milne, Victoria Muir, Annabel Hamman, and our Arts Coordinator, Peter Claman for all their mahi across the many different levels of this event.
Amanda and Victoria were phenomenal to work with, as the three of us creatively fleshed out all aspects of the show, from the models and designers to the technical look of the show, as the show's Creative Directors/Producers. Annabel was a superstar and took the lead on the important logistics of our licensed bar and refreshments sections, while Peter looked after important key sections like sponsorship, advertising, and admin.
Thank you to everyone who supported Fashion at McGlashan - our students, staff, whānau, local fashion businesses, models, sponsors, make-up team (including the phenomenal Gena Bagley), Aart Hair technician and Otago Polytechnic hairdressing students, tech team (all John McGlashan senior students), backstage dressers, Front of House team, raffle and silent auction sellers (Sally Choie for her amazing organisation), live musicians, as well as our wonderful patrons on the night. Your enthusiasm and generosity have helped us turn a dream into a vibrant reality. We look forward to seeing the incredible things our students will achieve with the help of these funds. Stay tuned for our next Fashion at McGlashan event in the future!
A huge thank you also to our amazing RAFFLE & SILENT AUCTION sponsors:
Chapman Store
Ukiyo Salon
Skin Practice
Brent Weatherall Jeweller
Skin & Beaute
My Mate John
Willow & Silk Interiors
McKenzie & Willis
Repertoire
Essentially Tamara
The Stafford Family
Kaans Catering
Life Pharmacy
Sports Depot
Bliss Technology
Vault21
Gardens New World
Lou’s Pantry & kitchen
Moha Hairdressing
Photos by Year 13 photography student Jonny Leitch.
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