THE Borders recently became the fashion capital of Scotland, thanks to the first Big Yellow Force Fashion Show.
The event, organised by Bex and Katy Leigh, founders of fundraising organisation The Big Yellow Force, was a sensational hit.
And it was held in an effort to raise vital funds for the project and its work raising awareness of endometriosis, and the Menstrual Health Project.
Bex, who is now a trustee of the Menstrual Health Project, said she was "delighted" by all of the support she and The Big Yellow Force have been shown since the organisation was founded in 2021 when they held The Big Yellow Raffle.
On the success of the fashion show, she said: "You never know how it's going to go and it's gone better than I could had hoped it could go."
The night of fashion at Selkirk's Victoria Halls on Friday, November 10, began with a walk on the yellow carpet and a glass of Selkirk Distillers' signature cocktail, made using its bespoke charity gin The Curse.
Yellow is the globally recognised colour for endometriosis awareness and the colour was a key theme of the whole night.
With a range of businesses surrounding the runway – including local brands such as AR+CO and Miss Vivienne Lingerie who both provided items for the show – guests could purchase their own piece of Borders fashion before the show got under way.
And Borders Distillers wasn't the only business creating a bespoke product for The Big Yellow Force.
AR+CO launched its 'sunny' colourway for 'The Edition' bag and matching 'Cash' purse, Miss Vivienne Lingerie created its 'Thorn' set of handmade lingerie, Darcy and Bear launched its '1 in 10' candle, and Glasgow-based brand Ellipsis created a limited edition headband and scrunchy – all in support of The Big Yellow Force.
The night was hosted by Elliot Bibby, and also saw dancers from Mpulsive School of Dance perform as well as taking to the runway themselves to showcase looks from Borders Dance Box, as well as music from Leo Sax.
Bex added: "I'm just delighted and so excited to see what is in store for The Force.
"It looks like we're off to a pretty great start and with the team here – all our amazing volunteers, helpers, guests, supporters – I think we really are a force to be reckoned with and this really is just the start."
Although a night of fashion and fun, the audience and businesses were all there for a worthy cause.
On the night the 500 raffle tickets for some amazing prizes sold out before the fashion show even began.
Then Team GB and Team Scotland mountain biker and UCI Cycling World Championships 2023 athlete Isla Short – who was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2021 – blew everyone away after she made the winning bid on the first distilled bottle of The Cure, making a £620 donation which went directly to the Menstrual Health Project.
And from ticket sales, the raffle, and donations – including Isla's – The Big Yellow Force raised nearly £4,000 to be shared between The Big Yellow Force and the Menstrual Health Project.
Bex, who has been diagnosed with endometriosis herself and was forced to close down her award-winning business earlier this year due to her health, shows no signs of slowing down her efforts to raise awareness of the condition and support medical trials and government policy change.
She said: "We started as the raffle and that was really just meant to be a spur of the moment, one time thing.
"Two years on, I'm in my worst state of health with endometriosis, and nothing has changed, especially in Scotland.
"It just pushes me to make even more of a change and almost take that into my own hands."
On the same night as the fashion show, Bex and her mum announced their plans to host the first Big Yellow Ball in the Volunteer Hall, Galashiels, on Saturday, March 30, 2024.
The ball, which sold out in under 24 hours when tickets were launched on Sunday (December 3), will include a three-course meal, drinks and canapés, live music for the dancefloor, and special surprises.
For more information, and to stay up to date with all the plans The Big Yellow Force has, follow them on Instagram or visit their website: www.thebigyellowforce.com
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