Event Photography Case Study: Gorillas & Gowns Charity Fashion Show

Last Friday evening (29th September 2017) I had a brilliant time being the official photographer at the Gorillas & Gowns charity fashion show at Port Lympne, so I wanted to share some of my favourite images from the night with you...

The whole evening was a collaboration between several Kent based businesses, including myself, but mainly organised by Amanda Flanders of Butterflies & Dreams Events [update: no longer trading].  We were launching the first collections of the fabulous Caroline Bruce Designer Dresses, and amazingly, 12 year old Josh Birch Jones!  Caroline, Amanda and I visited Port Lympne around eighteen months ago for a networking event; we decided there and then that the wonderfully painted rooms inside the hotel would be a fantastic venue for a fashion show, and now we’ve done it!  We also raised over 6k for the Aspinall  Foundation‘s work with gorillas in Congo, where they have been hunted almost to extinction, helping to send four brothers to the wild in Congo next month.

Above: The Port Lympne mansion exterior and one of the amazing rooms inside

We began with drinks in the stunning room shown above, then moved over to the Aspinall Suite next door for a welcome from Amanda, and our MC for the night, Paul Andrews of Kent Business Radio – and here’s Molly too, from Molly Moodle Media covering live social media for us throughout the event, (with Caroline’s Union Jack dress in the background):

Above: Paul Andrews, Amanda Flanders, Molly Wright

Then onto the fashion show!  Caroline has her own luxury evening wear label, designed and handmade by her, of limited edition evening and cocktail dresses with a sophisticated feminine individuality.  She is building a slow sustainable fashion brand whose values include respecting people and the environment, making beautiful pieces that will be treasured and worn over again.

(See more of Caroline's work on her website: Caroline Bruce Designs)

Above: Caroline Bruce Designs on the catwalk, and then Caroline wearing one of her own designs.

Josh has drawn women’s clothes since he could hold a pencil and doodle, taking inspiration from his mother’s wardrobe, and designing glamorous evening gowns.  He has filled a gap in the market with his first collection, a capsule wardrobe of day to night wear, with reversible skirts, trousers and tops.  Josh believes everyone is entitled to wear what they like, and his collection empowers women to feel confident and glamorous in the workplace.

(See more of Josh's work on his website: Josh Birch Jones)

Above: Josh Birch Jones' designs on the catwalk, including with Josh.

In between viewing the two collections, we were also treated to a catwalk display by a tiger and zebra from the Living Art Show, and a horse/lion by the Face Painting Shop – all made from face/body painting, don’t they look amazing!

Above: The Living Art Show & the Face Painting Shop

After the fashion shows, Paul Farthing, CEO of Fundraising for the Aspinall Foundation talked about their work saving endangered animals around the world and working in partnership with each area to return them safely to the wild – including the four gorilla brothers that our fundraising at the fashion show is helping send back to Congo next month.  Dinner and an auction followed, and then the evening was over – but the designers are already planning their next show!

Above: Poppies in the Sunset Sky by Jane Mucklow Photography

I was so pleased that the canvas I donated of my new ‘Poppies in the Sunset Sky’ to the auction sold well – people even bid against each other to put the price up lots which was brilliant, thank you ever so much! 

And thanks to Amanda for a photo of me on the night – I was too busy photographing everyone else I forgot to get any of me on my camera!

I would love to photograph some more fashion shoots or fashion shows, so do get in touch if you are planning any!  Or if you need an event photographer, headshots, or any local Kent landscapes like this poppy picture to brighten up your walls!  (You can see more on my landscapes website).

Finally a big well done to everyone involved – the final total was £6,509.00!!

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[This blog was first written in October 2017, then transferred to this website, January 2024]