Vitamin Water dress and student fashion raised fund for nonprofit

By Staci Dennis

Correspondent

Tesha Holiday doesn't mind being label conscious.

The Kempsville High School senior flaunted a drink of choice during Feb. 28's "24 couture Fashion Show," during which she wore an evening gown crafted from Vitamin Water labels stitched together.

The colorful frock, designed by Candace Christy, 17, also featured a bow and took 150 labels to complete.

" We had to tape it up a little in the back," Candace admitted, "but it came out nice."

The fashion show fundraiser kicked off with wardrobe creations featuring labels of all kinds. Other themes included "work it," "get active," "shop till you drop," "a night on the town" and "on the red carpet." Local stores provided the clothing.

Show proceeds, about $3,000, went to the Virginia Beach-based I Need A Lighthouse, a depression and suicide education and awareness program. The nonprofit's founder and executive director, Kathy Wakefield, lost her son, Jake, to suicide in 2001. He was 21.

"Depression is something everyone can relate to," said Kempsville senior Emma Hering. "High school is really a crazy time where you are trying to figure out who you are and what you want out of life."

Advanced fashion marketing students staged the fashion show. Last year, the students teamed with Cox High to hold the show at a church. The 2007 event also benefited I Need A Lighthouse.

Kaila Roberts-Lysaght, who attended ninth grade at Cox, took her own life four years ago, bringing more awareness to suicide.

This was Kempsville's fourth year to hold the show benefitting I Need A Lighthouse.

"I appreciate their generosity. I'm grateful for all they have done," Wakefield said.

This year, Kempsville students did the show on their own with the help of adults Adam Schultz, Diane Britton and Lori Fam, advanced marketing teacher and show co-coordinator.

"We wanted to show that fashion is not just putting on clothes. I t's an art," Fam said.

Staci Dennis, sdennis@cox.net By Staci Dennis