On Monday 10 February, The PAC was transformed into a catwalk runway as students presented their annual charity show, Fantasy Fashion, in support of Advance Myanmar.
For the past 26 years, NLCS students have taken part in an evening dedicated to fashion and raising funds for a very worthy cause. Over the years, the show has grown in both style and purpose, with a different theme each time. This year’s theme, ‘I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud’, is inspired by the poem written by William Wordsworth. The poem features the speaker’s experience of wandering alone in nature and coming across a field of daffodils, which fills them with joy and tranquillity.
In celebration of the school’s 175th anniversary, the students chose this poem for its association with daffodils, which are a key symbol in the annual daffodil procession on Founder’s Day. This procession honours Frances Mary Buss, the founder of NLCS and a pioneer of women’s education, making the connection to the poem both fitting and meaningful for this year’s event.
The evening featured a wonderful display of creativity, with a parade of outfits on the catwalk, a panel of judges, an auction, and prizes for various fashion categories. The students go above and beyond to perfecting their designs, souring material, organising fittings and working together to make the event enjoyable for everyone.
This year, we raised £2830 for Advance Myanmar, supporting the Karenni people. Founded in 1999 by Stephanie Lee, the Karenni Student Development Programme (KSDP) provided aid in Burma. After her passing in 2001, her parents took over, later redirecting funds to Advance Myanmar in 2022. To date, NLCS has raised over £150,000, continuing Stephanies legacy.
From the very first show, Fantasy Fashion has continued to grow in its impact within the school and the wider community. Thanks to the hard work of students and staff, and the support of key partnerships, the event has become a much-loved highlight in the NLCS calendar each year.
