Mothers take part in fashion show modeling their own products
Have you ever seen Andean women taking part in a fashion show? What kinds of clothes come to mind? Traditional costumes? Well, not this time, because what they did was to show the complete range of their micro-business products.
The fashion event went ahead in late November 2002 at the premises of the SOS Social Center Sucre. Fashion show and display of knitwear kicked off the successful marketing of micro-business products in Sucre.
To conclude a one-year program of activities by the junior micro-business entrepreneurs and producers of knitwear and clothes, an exciting fashion show was organized. For the women modeling their own products, this was the first experience ever to hit the catwalk. Most of the women running the micro-businesses like to wear pollera, the typical dress of Andean peasant women dressed in bowler hats and wide pollera skirts. A certainly unique show!
The first to enter the catwalk were their children modeling beautiful school uniforms made by the mothers themselves. The spotlights were on two types of uniforms, white aprons for girls and long white shirts for boys. Next, several mothers took to the catwalk showing different types of aprons to go with the pollera. These aprons were specially designed for working women.
Another group of mothers entered the catwalk displaying beautiful wool sweaters. It was fantastic to look at them up there with such a great variety of colors and designs. "These ladies are just great at knitting: their style resembles the popular Inca designs of garments produced in the highlands of Bolivia and Peru", said one of visitors to the show.
The show's running order was completed by a group of models wearing terrific mantillas with beautifully embroidered designs of different colors. After the show, an amazing variety of embroidered high-quality bedspreads was shown to the audience - what a success!
An after-show tea party gave emerging entrepreneurs of bakery micro-businesses a chance to have their breads and cakes on display. A feast for the eyes and tasty food, too!
The mothers highlighted the importance of the ongoing support provided by the SOS Social Center. They now have a job with a regular income and have gained opportunities to further develop their skills and improve their standard of living.