With their final stitches in place, UQ’s medical students have used their creative prowess to transform old scrubs into striking designs as part of the third annual TIME Charity Fashion Parade.
Evening dresses and other quirky designs will feature in the scrubs collection as the students-turned-models take to the runway tomorrow night (Friday April 24), from 7pm.
Towards International Medical Equality (TIME) is a UQ School of Medicine group whose goal is to work towards equitable provision of healthcare worldwide.
Event organiser and second-year medical student Tiffany Zigras said money raised at the event would go towards the group’s Medical Aid Project (MAP), which last year sent much-needed resources to more than 20 medical centres in more than 12 countries including India and Zambia.
Ms Zigras, who last year took medical supplies to Peru, said students who participated in the project went on elective for the privilege of a clinical experience.
“If the centres have a particular need such as stethoscopes, bandages or baby warmers we do try and address it,” she said.
“So to be able to give something back to the medical centres is very gratifying.
“This project helps to make medical students more globally aware and with this enriching experience students will be better practitioners.”
TIME president Tara Douglas said many of the medical centres students travelled to functioned on minimal funding and limited resources, so the supplies funded through MAP were very much appreciated.
“The project has established long-standing partnerships with hospitals in PNG, Solomon Islands and India which allows for a more sustainable impact,” Ms Douglas said.
Along with the scrubs collection, the parade will also feature designs from three QUT fashion graduates and an interactive “walk-off”, where members of the public are encouraged to strut their stuff to win prizes.
Ms Zigras said the graduates’ bright and vibrant collections fitted in well with the “Chromotopia” theme.
“When people think of “Chromotopia” we want them to visualise striking colours, animated clothing and an extraordinary evening,” she said.
“Global health equality is a serious issue, but ensuring a fundraising event is fun to attend is an important part of spreading the message.”
Ms Zigras said many local businesses had donated prizes, with the Herston Bookstore donating more than $800 worth of books for raffle.
The TIME Charity Fashion Parade will be held at The Fox, South Brisbane, second floor, from 7pm. Tickets at the door are $10 for TIME members and $13 for non-members.
For more information please visit: http://www.Timeuq.org
Media: Tiffany Zigras (0402 364 082) or Eliza Plant at UQ Communications (07 3365 2619)
