Abbotsford's Kaleigh Lewis earned the top prize in the Junior Summer Fashion Showcase, which occurred at Sevenoaks Shopping Centre earlier in June.
Lewis and nine other Chief Dan George Middle School were partnered with a fashion retailer in the mall and arranged their outfits for display on June 1. Their work was found at Sevenoaks from June 3 to 16, with votes on who created the best outfit tabulated at the Sevenoaks website.
More than 9,000 votes were cast, with Lewis and her Below the Belt fashion creation collecting the most. She takes home a $500 Sevenoaks gift card with the win.
"Anytime we can get our kids into real life experiences and out in our community we get excited," said CDG principal Jame Beck. "This collaboration with Sevenoaks is such a great example of this."
Other participating students included: Felix Tielmaan and Elaine Phan (Boathouse), Abigail Mowes (Ricki’s), Hannah Best (SportChek), Nimrit Brar (Hudson’s Bay), Gielian Lailic (Urban Kids), Olivia Paul (Bootlegger), Hunter Moulton (Zumiez) and Milo Neufeld also with Below The Belt.
The Grade 8 students have a passion for fashion, which was fostered in their fashion unit by teacher Josee Perron.
"I love working with different colour, textures and shades and problem solving what can be put together," Lewis stated in her application. "I believe fashion is for everyone."
One voter chosen at random also won a $100 Sevenoaks gift card.
The next event at the mall is a meet and greet with the characters Bluey and Bingo from the hit TV show Bluey on July 4 and 5. The free event asked attendees to register for tickets, but both days sold out in a short amount of time.
For more information, visit shopsevenoaks.com/events/sevenoaks-shopping-centre-meet-bluey-bingo.
