Co-organizer & project directing by SFAA Foundation Limited
The Kowloon City Baptist Church Neighborhood Elderly Center (Lok Fu) collaborated with the Hong Kong North Lions Club and Youth College International (YCI) to host a unique and heart-warming fashion show on April 20. Design Students from YCI tailor-made clothes for 30 families of caregivers, and invited about 300 people including relatives and friends of the caregivers, elders in the center and guests to attend. Witness the results of integrating elders and youngsters together, and paying attention to caregivers.
Student designers from Youth College International created a unique set of clothing for each caregiver and elderly, based on their body shape and personal preferences. In order to help designers meet the needs of different elderly people, SFAA specially arranged two workshops, inviting experienced tailor to guide designers on how to tailor designs for customers of different body types and how to adjust designs and patterns according to their body measurements; in addition, industry experts were invited to explain the characteristics of the fabrics used in this event and provide professional industrial treatment suggestions, allowing designers to coordinate with the needs of the elderly while showing their personality and style. Friends and their families went through the tailoring, dress rehearsal and other processes for more than half a year, and it was all a new experience!
A total of 300 spectators attended the show. Among them are relatives and friends from various carers, and some even flew back from abroad to support. One of the caregivers thanked the organization and students for allowing her to have the “most beautiful” set of clothes she has had in decades. She said she would wear this tailor-made outfit to attend a banquet in Canada this year so more people could appreciate it.
According to the survey results of the "Respite Needs Study of Caregivers" of the Federation of Social Services, 46.8% of the caregivers surveyed provided caregiving hours of 71 hours or more per week, and the caregiving pressure was heavy. In this difficult journey of care, they rely on the persistence of love. The center's caregiver support service hopes to accompany them on this journey. This activity gives the caregivers the opportunity to "dress up" with the people being cared for. It not only allows the caregivers to "excite themselves," but also makes them feel valued and cared for.
The Hong Kong Council of Social Service, (2021, August), Carers’ Breathing Needs Study Survey Results Report. https://www.hkcss.org.hk.
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