A CLOSER LOOK

The fashion show at Scarborough High School will be held Saturday starting at 7 p.m. in the auditorium. Tickets are available at the door, and are $5 for students and $8 for adults.

Proceeds will benefit the school’s Student Aid and Assistance Fund and Girls Inc., a national nonprofit organization.

Scarborough High School students are busy preparing for Saturday’s second annual fashion show, one that will put special emphasis on diversity, including male and female models of all shapes, sizes and ethnicities.

“We tried to draw people that wouldn’t necessarily be classified as models, but were beautiful for other reasons,” said Laura Caryl, show co-director with Brittany Swett.

Caryl and Swett began coordinating the show at the beginning of January. With the help of two faculty advisers, Sarah Blaisdell and Sarah Salisbury, the high school juniors have recruited roughly 40 models and scheduled fittings at local businesses.

Last year, the show’s proceeds were donated to the Dove campaign, which promoted a more inclusive standard of beauty for women. This year, all the proceeds will be split between two organizations: the Student Aid and Assistance Fund at Scarborough High, which helps cover the costs of college applications and prom tickets for students in need, as well as Girls Inc., a national nonprofit that encourages girls to be strong, smart and bold.

According to Caryl, the show will have two parts, a spring line and a prom line. Caryl and Swett sought out local businesses to see if they would donate clothing items for the evening. Several South Portland clothing stores, including David’s Bridal, Cache and Banana Republic, were happy to provide assistance.

“We like to do it if we can do. It’s wonderful to help the community,” said Patricia Crawford., a David’s Bridal eomployee.

Last year’s show, the first of its kind at Scarborough High School, was a huge success, drawing a crowd of roughly 200 and generating around $1,000. This year, organizers hope to surpass those numbers.

With only days left until the event, Swett and Caryl say they are not particularly anxious. The two will introduce the show.

“I’m not too nervous, but 20 minutes before the show I might be,” said Caryl.

Swett, who was a model in last year’s show, attributes her lack of nerves to her experience as a dancer.

“I’m used to being on stage,” she said.

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