Look who's walking

Fashion week gives students from every high school on the North Shore an opportunity to shine. Edward Rooney explains.

Back by popular demand, New Zealand Fashion Week this year includes a show organised by YMCA Auckland's youth development group.

The programme is a platform for young teen designers and performers aged 14 to 18. This year, designers from 12 high schools are taking part in the show, called Walk The Line.

This show is organised by the YMCA North Shore's youth committee, known as the Raise Up Crew, a group selected from every North Shore high school.

The broader aim is to give teenagers safe places to socialise, as well as offering them opportunities to succeed.

YMCA Auckland co-ordinator Ben Rodgers says: "The entire show is run by young people. They present; they run the back stage; students do the make-up and hair; they model it; they design it; they do everything."

Around 130 teenagers will participate in the event, 40 of them are Raise Up leaders.

"Walk the Line gives them an amazing experience in a real-life situation.

"Not only do they gain a lot of confidence from it, putting together the show empowers them," Ben says. "It's really organised entirely by the students. We give each Raise Up crew member a role, and the crew member who we gave back-up manager [to] last year has this year been employed to run the show, because I can't be there on the night.

"She is running the whole thing; no adult supervision."

It's the second time the programme has featured at New Zealand Fashion Week. After selling out all 500 tickets to their 2010 show in a smaller venue, Walk the Line has been upgraded to the main venue with a 1000-person capacity.

"Apart from the fact that we sold out, fashion week organisers loved the concept of a show that gives young people a chance to showcase their talents," says Ben. "It's a real showcase, featuring not only young designers, but young performers and singers as well."

Walk the Line, Saturday, Sept 3, 5pm at the Westpac Shed. Tickets: www.iticket.co.nz