The Future of Fashion Cares

Thank you for visiting this week's Naked Lunch, a chat regarding the future of Fashion Cares. The discussion and remarks appear below. To add your thoughts to the comments list, click on the comment link below. We look forward to connecting again next Thursday at noon!

Lotteries have worked so well for hospital and cancer fundraising. Anybody think of  starting a Fashion Cares, ACT or AIDS fundraising lottery?

And the winner gets a date with Pamela Anderson. Great idea. ACT will have more funds than they know what to do with.

MAC is such a perfect supporter of Fashion Cares because they appreciate people who are "on the edge." If The Bay takes over, I am afraid Fashion Cares will be pressured to become more mainstream. That we will have to tame everything down. Then what's the point?

I would imagine that whoever is involved in deciding the future of Fashion Cares realizes that one of its big draws is the edgy atmosphere. Won't ACT will do their best to fight any attempts to tame it?

Would there be as much media coverage if Fashion Cares became a group of smaller events?

Good point. Perhaps not. There are lots of factors that go into deciding what we cover and how. The sheer size of Fashion Cares, and the stars who attend, practically guarantee good coverage. Smaller, less high profile events with more frequency might not. Bernadette

I agree with the comment below. Where else do you find such a large mass of cool, hip open-minded, accepting people?

I disagree. I think that one of the great things about Fashion Cares is its size. Where else do you get such a great feeling of acceptance in such a large crowd, except at the Gay Pride parade?

Maybe they will raise even more money that way.

Maybe that's what needs to happen, break Fashion Cares up into smaller bits, with more opportunities for title sponsorships. The Bay sponsors the sale, MAC sponsors a concert, who will sponsor the after-hours party?

Is it true that MAC is no longer going to be involved in Fashion Cares?

There is a rumour to that effect, and that The Bay could become the titled sponsor for the event. But that is still just a rumour. Bernadette

What about a huge designer sample sale, like they have in New York?

A concert that big sounds like it would take more organizing that the current Fashion Cares.

Couldn't we turn Fashion Cares into a huge concert fundraiser, like the Rolling Stones did for Sars?

I understand that is one of the ideas that MAC would like to see. Bernadette

Is there any merit in the idea of breaking Fashion Cares up into a series of smaller events? The dinner, after hours party, sale could each be stand-alone events, no?

That is likely something that the committee assessing how to take Fashion Cares into the future is discussing. It would solve the problem of location. Right now, there are only two indoor venues in the city that can hold a crowd of 5,000-plus. One is the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, which has been incredibly supportive of the event. The other is Exhibition Place which is not that different and not worth shunning such a source of support. Or what about dispensing with the dinner portion altogether and just focusing on the party, shopping and show?

Comments

[Carlo Bonanni]

My partner and I have now volunteered at Fashion Cares for the past 6 years and have to say, it is one of our most favourite events. The positive energy that permeates the crowd really cannot be duplicated by many other events. It just seems that everyone is there promoting a very worthy cause and everyone is in a fantastic mood. I've traveled enough in my life to honestly say that Toronto has some incredibly attractive people, most of whom usually go to Fashion Cares!!
I love the diversity of people who attend, truly from all walks of life. I'm very proud to volunteer my time for this event.
What doesn't work maybe is also what does make it work - it's not a fashion show, it's more an entertainment show - you would think that the best of the best of Canadian designers get featured here, but they don't. Not to say that there is anyting wrong with that, however I know that the City's economic development department really does a great deal of work in trying to promote the City's fashion sector, and this would be a tremendous boon to that. Perhaps the next era of FCares could focus on that. However I must say hats off to the AIDS Committee of Toronto for ALWAYS putting on such a kickass event!
Looking forward to volutneering in the future.

[Patte Rosebank]

I just wish they'd use more models who looked like real people. The costumes are gorgeous and breathtaking, but I can't get round the fact that 99% of the people wearing them are taller and thinner than 99% of the population.

[andre gordon]

I've put my skills to make some samples used in last FCares show - and, working in fashion for 20+yrs, and being a model myself in the past, have to remind to PatteR, and others, - fashion show like that and others will never be that expressive, if the "real" people be used as a models - this isn't the show at Sears to sell the mershandise - it's entertainment, FIRST of all! accept it, and ENJOY it!
i was glad working till 5pm on that Sat on some last minute ideas for that show, and will work agan!

[Rick in Toronto]

I like the idea of putting more of a focus on Canadian Designers. Last year, Wayne Clark dazzled magnificently and I would love to see him dazzle again! Also, Headliners (Performers) are important, especially if it is someone or someones that a younger generation can appreciate, because it is important to cultivate future Doners and attendees to the cause.

[Darren C]

Wow, what an incredible experience this year! I've volunteered at Fashion Cares for three years and loved each year, though this year seemed a little more emotionally charged. I absolutely adore the creativity and imagination that goes into each production. To me, Fashion Cares is about the spectacle and I'd like to see more of that in future years. By that, I mean performances like the acrobats at dinner (and during the main show), Blueman Group, etc. It doesn't have to be big stars singing... just performances that are out of the ordinary. Finally, let's see more men on the runway -- equal men and equal women, please. Let's not forget the importance of men's fashion!

I attended with friends, Fashion Cares, for the first time this year and enjoyed it very much other than I thought the show was too long, repetitive. There was also a fairly large lack of seating for the show. We were not able to obtain seats for any of the performance.

[John Smith]

How much of the 1M$ will go directly towards services for people living with HIV/AIDS? The ACT website does not mention anything about medication, housing, food, clothing, or respect. To a person living with HIV... Fashion? Who cares!!?

[Dan Grant]

Fashion Cares' stage show is all about fantasy. I agree with Andre... if I want a real people show I'll swing by a mall in the 905.

This was my first Fashion Cares and I loved everything except paying $6.00 for beer tickets, then being forced to choose between Molson Canadian and Coors Light.

Dan Grant
Publisher
www.modelresource.ca

[JR]

I don't think everyone realizes how very different Fashion Cares will now become with Phillip Ing leaving his position as the overall show producer. All the comments of a new re-vamping of the show, new models, new everything will now occur due to the obvious absence of Phillip in the coming years without any real choice. It will be very interesting to see who takes the lead in the show's production. Without Phillip's (MAC) contacts with all the major modelling agencies, stylists, designers, celebrities (Pam, Linda, DSquared), Fashion Cares will have no other choice then to REVAMP and do a complete 360.
As a past volunteer, model, and chair on the committee I am sad to see the ending of a fabulous era, and excited to see what vast changes will occur with the new leaders in the upcoming years. As much as we all speak of the fashion industry needing this event, helping Toronto, feedback on the models in the show....I REALLY JUST HOPE THE EVENT DIES ON ITS OWN- WHEN WE FIND A CAUSE SOONER THEN LATER. We can't loose sight of the real reason it started those many years ago.

[PeteG]

I have been to 3 Fashion Cares and two of them as a volunteer. It really is a rather boring affair that appears to the wealthy or the circuit-scene. A televised concert with A-list performers would be ideal.

[annie game]

It was interesting in Bernadette Morra's article, Let's talk about Fashion Cares, that AIDS was mentioned in the seventh paragraph in a ten paragraph article. Fashion cares about fashion and let us not forget it. It is our attitude, not the gala, that is in need of an update.

I worked as a volunteer at Fashion Cares back in the early 90's when we actually did care about eliminating AIDS and removing the stigma of being HIV positive. The gala was a fund raisier and a vehicle to raise awareness about people living with AIDS. It was solidarity; a fun, camp way to say we cared and didn't care who knew it.

Fashion Cares seems to have become as meaningless as the rainbow of ribbons and bracelets that have become another accessory. "Wear the yellow Lance band Sherri; it goes with your pumps!"

AIDS is a global issue. It is exploding in Russia, Africa and India. Fashion Cares is a party; it is like holding an 80's theme party now. It is part of the AIDS theme park we have constructed to remind us how much we care...when mostly, we don't. This article illustrates this very well.

[Lisa]

This was my first time attending Fashion Cares and I absolutely loved it! I think that booths that are selling clothes should have a curtain to try things on behind and a full length mirror. Having a general admission ticket, which let me in at 8:00 (well, was SUPPOSED to let me in at 8:00 but the dinner guests delayed our enterance to 8:40 -- what's up with that?!)I saw how picked over all the merchandise at the booths were. Perhaps next year, more merchandise could be put away until the 2nd wave of patrons enter, giving a fair share for everyone to buy. Other than that, everything else ROCKED!!!!