Stella McGroarty of Stella Boutique in Donegal Town made a strong fashion statement at Sunday’s charity gala fashion show.
Up to 200 women attended the event in Harvey’s Point to see Stella’s colourful range of stock, which is mostly made up of eco-friendly sustainable and organic clothing.
Stella Boutique clothing is currently 60% sustainable, and by mid-2020 she plans to be at 100%. The fabulous looks on display at today’s fashion show were intended to show that you can dress well, look smart and feel good in sustainable and fair trade clothes.
Stella’s nine models were regular customers of the boutique, chosen because Stella wanted to put the clothes on the people who love them.
They all looked fantastic with their hair and makeup by the team at Rossanos Hair Salon and wore looks styled by Stella to suit them individually.
Casual, workwear, dressy, outwear and many more looks were showcased and the audience got a close up view of each look as the models worked the room of the Harvey’s Point Garden Suite.
The other feel-good element of the day was the charity support. €20 from every ticket sold will be donated to Cancer Care West and Regional Fundraiser Grainne McGettigan was delighted to be there to thank Stella for choosing the charity as a beneficiary again this year.
Grainne said: “People in our community are affected by cancer every day. At Cancer Care West our vision is that no one should have to go through a cancer experience alone.”
The Letterkenny centre on Pearse Road, Grainne said, is a haven for people with concerns about cancer. There, they can get professional, community-based, practical and emotional support services and they can also avail of hospital support.
A popular raffle raised money for both Cancer Care West and local woman Deirdre Dillon’s fund for Breast Cancer Awareness.
Deirdre Dillon, one of the models, had her own powerful story to share. The teacher and mum of four went through breast cancer treatment this year and amazingly ran the Dublin City Marathon months later. As a fit and healthy runner, she took a positive approach to her cancer and decided to raise money for the Irish Cancer Society after her recovery.
Deirdre made a big impact by sharing her story with the room. Her message about cancer awareness was: “A lot of it is how you approach it, I was fit, eating well. Cancer doesn’t choose the next person or victim.”
Deirdre said: “I do think there were contributory factors in my lifestyle that probably contributed some way. I don’t believe it’s a matter of you are the unlucky one. If we examine our lifestyles there is something there that has contributed, be it food, diet, exercise, smoking or stress. I had to address that myself.”
She explained how she refused to look on cancer as a death sentence. “To me, I looked on it as a wart. It had to go, and that was it.”
Deirdre advised all woman to get themselves checked if they feel something different, and assured them that if they do get a cancer diagnosis, to know that there are many options out there to help.
“Just think positive,” she said.
The fashion show was hailed as another great success for Stella and her team of helpers. Stay tuned to find out the grand total raised from the day!
Follow Stella Boutique on Facebook at : www.facebook.com/StellaBoutiqueDonegal
Stella would like to thank the following people and business for their kind support in donating raffle prizes:
- Harvey’s Point Country Hotel
- Sandhouse Hotel
- The Olde Castle Bar & Restaurant
- Hanna Hats
- Blueberry Tea Rooms
- Angela Ward School of Motoring
- Masterclean
- The House Gastro Pub
- Dunleavy’s Gift World
- Costcutters Ballybofey
See the photos and social pictures in the gallery below:
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