DES BONASS,
Madam, - I note with interest the advertisement for an International Fashion Show. While I commend the good intentions of the organisers in raising funds for the Chernobyl Children's Project, ISPCC and the Christina Noble Foundation, I find it disheartening that "fashion" - one of the most vacuous industries in the world, (where some international super-models have ditched their once publicity grabbing anti-fur stance in favour of wearing fur again) - is the platform for raising funds for such worthy causes.
But then again, only those who could afford to wear fur could afford the €75-plus entry fee. This excessive charge only encourages social exclusion and although a high price is used to increase the funds, the event will also be peopled by the corporate employees of those sponsoring the event, the "usual suspects" and associated hangers-on.
Are we becoming so "Hollywood" that our charitable aspirations now mimic those of the lavish celebrity-obsessed extravagances which have become so popular of late?
The super-rich models and celebrities taking part could probably have saved themselves a lot of trouble and unwanted media attention by privately donating a small fraction of their enormous wealth to the cause in question. -
DES BONASS,
Yours, etc.,
Thorndale Avenue,
Dublin 5.