Charity fashion show ‘Help from the underground’ was held last night in the basement of the Zoo Advertising offices. More than 400 Canberrans registered for the event, with a huge $13,000 raised going to St Vincent de Paul Society for the homeless.

More than a dozen Canberra businesses such as La Bimbi, Victoria’s Models and Kennards Hire (just to name a few) all joined forces with the man behind the concept, Managing Director of Zoo Advertising Clinton Hutchinson, to put on a free fashion show. These businesses all contributed their time, supplies and creativity at no cost.

Vinnie’s op shops were the talk of the event, with 25 fashion show models showcasing their clothes as they strutted along the classy catwalk built by Monarch Buildings. Kamal Ibrahim, Mr World 2010 Click Here was one of the models on the night, wearing black and white pleated drapery over his bare torso and a black and white bandana.

The crowd danced to Canberra DJs – Strangeway Djs, Architect DJs and Party By Jake and were entertained by hip hop dancers Bliss and DTC.

The audience sipped on delicious soup from a soup van organised by Public in Manuka for $5 a cup which raised a $880 in total.

The event was held to support the Vinnie’s CEO Sleepout being held on Thursday 21st June. The funds raised from last night pushed Clinton to the top of the fundraising leader board for the sleep out.

All money raised for the Vinnie’s CEO Sleepout in the ACT stays in the ACT. Last year, more than 100,000 Australian’s slept without a roof over their head every night of the year. An estimated 3,500 people required homelessness support in the nation’s capital, including 1,500 children.

Photography by Chris Whitfield