Friday 11 January 2013 Community projects in Leeds are set to benefit this New Year after a fashion show at The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) stitched up a grand total of over £1,400 for local causes. Inspired by the current trend for all things retro, Upper Sixth student Louisa Caplan devised and organised the ‘Fashion through the Ages’ event, which, as well as raising cash for charity, will fulfil the requirements for an academic qualification additional to her A levels – the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). Louisa coordinated the event from start to finish, booking the venue, sourcing the clothes, models, musicians and catering, organising publicity, selling tickets and liaising with her chosen charity, the Leeds Community Foundation, which makes grants to voluntary groups helping disadvantaged people in Leeds. She said: “I chose the Leeds Community Foundation as the money will make a real difference to people’s lives close to home. I’m grateful to everyone who supported the event and kept the costs to a minimum – school for providing the venue, fellow students for modelling and Debenhams personal shopping for supplying the clothes which reflected trends from different eras in current fashions.” Amanda Bennett of the Leeds Community Foundation said: “We were absolutely delighted with the amazing sum of money raised by the Fashion through the Ages event. We attended on the night and thought it was excellent – very well organised, lovely clothes and talented models. The team did a fantastic job and to have raised over £1,400 is tremendous. The money will support locally-based community projects throughout Leeds – thank you so much.” Louisa plans to study textiles and fashion at university and wanted to undertake a relevant project to earn the EPQ, a qualification that allows students to explore their interests beyond the A level curriculum through a research or practical project. General Sixth Form News
