Clergy among the models at charity fashion show

Two clergy will be among those sashaying down the aisle of their church as part of a charity fashion show.

The Rev Lindsey Crowhurst and the Rev Jill Phipps will showcase second-hand clothes as they parade down a makeshift catwalk in St Nicholas Church, Wickham, on Friday (November 20)

They are among 20 or so male and female amateur models who will highlight second-hand clothes on sale locally, within shops that raise funds for the Rowans Hospice. The volunteers will show off evening wear, Christmas jumpers, wedding dresses and more.

Guests are encouraged to book their tickets, which will include canapes and glasses or Prosecco. They’ll also be able to enjoy live music before the fashion show and in the interval. The event is called ‘Aisle of Elegance’ and will raise funds for the hospice and the church’s clock restoration fund. It takes place from 7pm-10pm on November 20.

Mum-of-two the Rev Lindsey Crowhurst, aged 37, who is assistant curate at Shedfield and Wickham, said: “Lots of my friends say they wouldn’t buy clothes from charity shops, but the outfits we’ve been given to wear are amazing. I want to buy some of them myself.

“People also think that clergy only wear dog collars or robes, but of course we are normal people who also like expressing ourselves through fashion. We have each picked what we’d like to wear for the fashion show, and we’ve been rehearsing how we will walk down the aisle and show off the clothes.

And retired priest the Rev Jill Phipps said: “It sounded fun. The fact that it is in church is great, as we can use the aisle very easily to show off the clothes.”

The event has been organised by congregation member Nicky Baker, who works in the Rowans Hospice shop in Wickham. She recruited the 20 models from the church, local charity shops and the village. The oldest model, verger Rosemary Crane, is 82.

Nicky organised for the volunteers to be given advice about which colours suit them best. Students from Fareham College who are studying to be beauticians will be on hand to apply make-up. The models will parade up and down to a playlist of modern music, and the lighting will be adjusted to showcase the aisle-turned-catwalk.

“I’m hoping that our final set of clothes will be a Nativity scenario, with each of the angels wearing a wedding dress and wings,” said Nicky. “Lots of people are nervous about coming into a church building, but this should be a fun event that they’ll really enjoy.”

Tickets, which are priced at £15 and £20, are available on www.thesquareyardwickham.co.uk