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‘I can’t believe she wore that dress’

Gogos fundraiser features vintage fashion show by fashion historian Ivan Sayers
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A model dons a 1922 evening gown from Montreal during an Ivan Sayers Art Deco fashion show in Fort Langley in 2014. On March 25

From flapper dresses to miniskirts, some of the most iconic — and most exotic — trends in women’s fashion will once again grace the runway in the upcoming vintage fashion show, “I Can’t Believe She Wore That Dress.”

Taking place March 25 at Northwood United Church, 8855 156 St. in Surrey, the show serves as a fundraiser for the Langley Gogos, Oneness Gogos (White Rock) and Ubuntu Ogogo (Surrey).

Proceeds will go to the Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign with the Stephen Lewis Foundation, which supports millions of grandmothers in Africa who are caring for a generation of orphans from AIDS. Many of these grandmothers are also suffering from HIV themselves, and are mourning the loss of their own adult children.

“We support grandmothers in Africa struggling with all kinds of issues while raising their grandchildren and children in their villages,” said Carole Albertson, member of the Langley Gogos.

“Everything from school uniforms, to grief counselling, to HIV counselling and support, and food growing techniques. We’ve also helped them to raise money on their own by forming co-operatives and working together to produce goods for various markets.”

The show is hosted by fashion historian Ivan Sayers, who is the former curator of the Vancouver Museum.

Sayers has collected vintage clothing for more than 50 years, and has one of the largest private collections in Canada.

“He is extremely entertaining, he has so much knowledge — he can just roll it off. And he has a really entertaining personality. So it’s not just a fashion show, it’s an entertainment event,” said Sandra Reams, member of the Langley Gogos.

Tickets are $30 and include the fashion show, hor d’oeuvres, a film presentation and access to an artisan marketplace.

To purchase, call Albertson at 604-534-6152 or Reams at 604-534-4435; or email yhartup@hotmail.com, mel0die@telus.net or dawns2382@icloud.com.

The marketplace begins at 2 p.m. and the fashion show takes place from 3 to 5:30 p.m.