Dress For Success helps women of the Illawarra find empowerment through their affordable fashion event Bubbles and Bargains in Fairy Meadow.
Held at Fairy Meadow’s ‘The Fraternity Club’, the Bubbles and Bargains event assisted women in finding fashionable, appropriate work and everyday clothing that was affordable, and in great condition.
Operations Manager Rachel Dyer said the Bubbles and Bargains event is one of the organisation’s main fundraisers.
“It sells off the excess stock that had been kindly donated to us,” Miss Dyer said.
“The money raised goes to supporting our mission which is to assist women by gaining financial independence.”
The not-for-profit women’s organisation Dress For Success helps women to become financially independent by providing services such as styling experience, career support and a 24/7 career hub. The career support ranges from interviews, work experience, court hearings, and many other services.
The money raised will go towards the freestyling that Dress For Success offers, which helps women feel empowered in their presentation when approaching significant life events.
“There are all sorts of different significant life events that we give freestyling for,” Miss Dyer said.
“What that outfit does, is it removes a barrier.
“It’s one less thing someone needs to think about in their presentation.”
Senior Lecturer and Director of Academic Programs at the University of Wollongong Dr Laura Rook spent her time volunteering at the event to gain more knowledge about the organisation.
Dr Rook said she was excited to be at the event and get to know everyone.
“I think that this organisation has a true passion for wanting to help women,” Dr Rook said.
“You can see that through their wonderful activities.
“I really really think that they bring everyone together and I think it’s just a wonderful cause.”
Miss Dyer is a recent member of the organisation, joining at the beginning of July this year. Familiar with the Dress For Success mission she has found that the work gives a great opportunity to do good things for the women in the Illawarra.
She will be joining one of Dr Rook’s lectures as a lecturer herself to inform students of the opportunities the organisation provides, and how their mission helps empower women by giving them financial freedom through building confidence and their capabilities.
“That’s our mission, or how we help them achieve their mission,” Miss Dyer said.
“Empowerment is freedom.”
“Empowerment to make decisions without fear of someone else controlling you.”
Miss Dyer asked for university students to not feel excluded or cautious to come and hopes that in the future more students will reach out to the organisation or come to their events.
