The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer


jgibson@tribunemedia.net

TWO fashion-forward philanthropists are combining forces to present a unique non-profit, high fashion event in aid of the Ranfurly Home for Children.

Fashion 4 Foundation is spearheaded by Shelby McPhee, the event’s producer, and Joe Stubbs, the creative director and senior stylist, who both want to give back and support a worthy cause. Through this event, they believe they can make a big impact and contribute to the lives of the children living at the home which has faced significant financial challenges in recent times.

The duo wants to, if only for one night, put their own concerns aside and get involved in a bigger cause.

The fashion event will take place on August 2 at the Ranfurly Home at 7pm. It will feature an array of creations from various local designers.

“We strive to be that thread that binds community and charity. We are trying to present a showcase which will help these young people invest in the foundation. We want to invest in the young people and at the same time showcase talented Bahamians. We have a lot of talented people in the Bahamas and we overlook that. So we are trying to combine fashion and charity,” Shelby told Tribune Arts and Entertainment.

Though the event has only been in the works for less than two weeks, the Fashion 4 Foundation team has already made huge strides. In addition to landing key sponsorship, a casting call for models was held last week at the Ranfurly Home,“We are trying to cut the models down to 20 - 24. We are looking first off for someone who has a heart for charity and community. I think that is the key for people to exude that excitement to want to help others. For the physical attributes, were are looking for someone that is tall, lean and very edgy. I enjoy people that look different. They may not be people that are deemed pretty or handsome by society, but because they have nice facial structure or bone structure, that can portray very amazing on the runway. We just want someone who is fun and has a passion to give back. At the end of the day our main goal is to do as much as we can for the Ranfurly Home. We just want people to do as much as they can, to raise as much money for the Ranfurly Home,” Joe told Tribune Arts and Entertainment.

The outside of the Ranfurly Home will be transformed to reflect an upbeat high fashion scene. George Wilkinson, Bahamian event planner, is responsible for transforming the venue.
“The fashion show will be held on the grounds. The purpose for that is to create a sense of ‘a buy in’ for the foundation. We believe that the key to having a successful event, especially when it comes to charity and fundraising, is to be as transparent as possible. This is the reason why we are having the model calls and the fashion show here. During the show we will have the faculty and staff to help out so people can actually put a face or an identity to the cause,” Joe said.

All of the proceeds from the event will be donated to the Ranfurly Home.

“At this point we are the only sanctioned Ranfurly Home fundraiser and we intend to make this an annual event. There are events being held for other causes such as the AIDS Foundation, REACH Bahamas, so why not have an event in aid of the Ranfurly Home For Children. Right now we are in the structuring phase of putting people in place and a group together that will carry the event out yearly,” Shelby said.

“We are excited about this, but excited about this event because we know the kind of impact that it can have on the community.”

Shelby is currently a senior at the College of the Bahamas where he is studying Marketing Management as a major with a minor in Spanish.

Although this is his first time founding and managing an event such as this, he has worked along with others on several fashion shows and special events.

“The greatest challenge so far was getting the Ranfurly Home to buy into the vision, because they have to protect the kids and they have to protect their image. That was the biggest challenge, but everything else was like picking a ripe fruit from a tree,” he said.

Meanwhile Joe has a wealth of experience in the world of fashion, given that he is a celebrity fashion stylist based in St Louis, Missouri. He is a college administrator and adjunct professor who owns a styling company called the Joe Stubbs Style Agency. He recently moved the company to Nassau, where he has an assistant who works full-time with him.

Joe is also one of the stylists for the Bahamian based Brutha Magazine, head stylist for Islands of the World Fashion Week and has worked with the Miss Bahamas organisation.

Tickets for the Fashion 4 Foundation go on sale this Saturday and can be purchased at Bijoux Terner, Cigars & Smokes or at the Ranfurly Home.