Niche women’s fashion boutique held a spring fashion show fundraiser at the Town Hall, in aid of the Rye, Winchelsea and District Memorial Hospital at the top of Rye Hill. Niche owner Lesley Farrow made the introductions and commentary on the clothes, fluent as always and knowledgeable about her stock.
Four models, Tia, Maggs, Jane and Gemma, passed in front of the enthusiastic audience, real people living normal lives. Two had modelled at previous shows and two had not. In spite of a few nerves from the newer models, all went well. No male model this time, unless you count a small black curly dog in a special handbag, accessory to one outfit!
Three of us attended, one tall, slim and stylish, one tiny, slim and smart and a middle sized one.
Much to the delight of the tiny one, Jane Conlin, who helped to organise the show again, was one of the models. A very stylish dresser in her own right, the clothes she was wearing were just the right cut, and length for my friend. When last seen, she was off to spend her 10% clothing token, placed on every seat at the start, at the boutique!
The tall, slim and stylish one actually lives in Hastings, and much enjoyed seeing the clothes put together so skilfully, with hats from the Herald and Heart hatters in the High Street and hair and makeup by Rye Retreat in Cinque Port street. She has now been to a shop in Hastings Old Town to renew some items in her wardrobe.
The medium-sized one loved every minute. Different models, colours and styles went past her nose, and one dress she even already had. That felt good, medium-sized or not! She is off to try the three-quarter-length trousers – probably totally unsuitable, it should be the tall slim one, but Lesley is always honest, so mistakes will be avoided.
At the end, one of Lesley’s suppliers had given a new leather purse to be raffled, raising £75. The show itself raised £1,000 for the Hospital, a very worthwhile amount. Lesley thanked her husband, jeweller Peter Farrow, who found himself unexpectedly front of house, due to a microphone glitch; Sarah, who works with Lesley in Niche and had been an invaluable back stage support; Tracey from Herald and Heart, who was in the audience, and everyone who had made the evening possible. Stephanie Faulkner-Smith, the Rye Hospital fundraiser, also deserves a special mention for all her efforts and Lesley herself, of course.
Photos: Stephanie Faulkner-Smith and Gillian Roder