Inaugural Frocks on Friday polo match

Frocks on Friday enthusiasts Cleo Brenchley (back left) and Billie-Mae Mackintosh and Jo McLean (front left) and Krissy Mackintosh. Picture by Tink Lockett

Frocks on Fridays has some exciting events coming up starting with a polo match and family barbecue tomorrow at the Poverty Bay Polo Club.

Frocks on Fridays (FOF) founder Jo McLean said the event would have a “day at the races” kind of vibe and was the perfect opportunity to frock-up for the occasion.

“Dig out your best frock and fancy it up with a hat if you want to go all out,” Jo says.

The polo match between Wisewool,  Frocks and the Kaharau Angus Hear4U teams will begin at 6pm with gates open at  5pm.

There will be divot stomping at half-time and a “hit the ball with a polo stick” competition too.

The barbecue will cost  $10  and people are welcome to bring their own picnics.

The event, sponsored by Tom Lane, Wisewool and Kaharau Angus, is the perfect way to celebrate the end of year with fellow frock-stars and their families.

You can place a $2 bet on your favourite team and if you pick the winning team, your name is in the draw for a prize.

Frocks on Friday started out as a great excuse for women to wear some of the fabulous dresses in their wardrobes, but it quickly grew into a popular fundraising initiative with all funds going to Gisborne-based men’s mental health awareness and suicide prevention group Hear4U.

“The concept is intentionally simple, so that absolutely anyone can participate,” says Jo.

“On Fridays wear a frock as you go about your day and feel fabulous. Share a selfie on social media and koha to the cause if you are in a position to do so.”

Since it started last summer frock-wearing members of the Gisborne community have banded together to empower themselves, meet new people, make connections, and to fundraise for Hear4U. They have already raised more than $10,000. Funding has been implemented into Hear4U’s pre-existing advocacy service, Cyclone Gabrielle healing initiatives and scholarships for frock stars.

The first FOF event for season two was a sip and swap evening attended by more than 70 wāhine.

Tairāwhiti Environment Centre (TEC)  provided the venue which in turn raised awareness about how individuals can contribute and align with the circular fashion model that is about increasing sustainability in the fashion industry and reducing landfill.

TEC permanently houses a “frock swap” rack to support the kaupapa of sustainability and FOF.

While Frocks on Friday is completely separate from the Hear4U charity, as representatives of the women who support the men, the group has benefited from some of the Hear4U funding and are now offering several workshops. One is a breath-work workshop with Nikki Horsman and Michele Franks. This is an introduction to the power of the breath and movement to support mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.

The second is being taken by Amanda Roe  who will teach five easy and hormone-friendly stress management tactics. Participants will learn the basic pathways their body uses to react to stress (aka HPA Axis: hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenals) so they can identify when to intervene and reset.

Several more events are planned for next year including an event at SkinDeep Clinic in February and a big final event in March. FOF is also planning several pop-up mini events like they did in their first season. There was a dawn beach dip at Roberts Road, a Kaiti Hill run in frocks and a picnic in the Rose Gardens.

■ See the Frocks on Friday Facebook page to find out more.