By Kate Lockyer
A Hamilton-based fashion charity has been recognised in the bright lights of New York City for their work championing mental health awareness within the industry.
Charity founder Jude Kingston said: “The fact that Mind Your Fashion received that recognition was a real highlight, and we’re going to be building on this in the future.”
“We are the only one of its kind in the world – there is no other charity that is dedicated to mental health in the industry, we’re it. And that’s why I think we need to get more traction on this.”
Mind Your Fashion partnered with the Times Square Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week in September to elevate Queensland’s models and designers and raise mental health awareness.
While there, Ms Kingston received a Citation from the State of New York in recognition of her work.
She brought with her a diverse Queensland-based lineup of 12 models, a photographer, and two designers – SFH Designs and Tantiana The Label.
“Another highlight was the reaction from the guests and the media about the designers and models that came across,” she said.
“With what I’m doing, it’s a two-pronged approach. It’s firstly about raising that awareness for mental health in the industry, which is gathering momentum, but it’s also providing opportunities on that global scale for models, designers and photographers that they don’t normally get.”
The designers and Mind Your Fashion featured various publications such as Bella Magazine, Times Square Chronicle and Forbes Magazine along with the models meeting with a New York modelling agency.
Ms Kingston has now been able to send a Queensland designer to Milan Fashion Week and plans to partner again next year for New York’s February and September Fashion Weeks.
“We’re looking to build this presence as a charity partner or participating in every major fashion week around the world,” she said.
“By doing that, we hope to see the industry take notice and create some of those changes we need, because it’s so important.”
