By- Eleanor Kate Iglesia, Zainab Raza
Final-year Fashion Arts and Business program students hosted a Bazaar In Bloom event to raise money for Youth Without Shelter.
The free student-run event was held at Humber College North campus in the E-concourse, across from Gourmet Express Cafe between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Nov. 30. The sale included affordable clothing, personal styling tips, visiting booths that had local small businesses, contests, complimentary gifts and giveaways.
Huma Aslam, the professor and organizer of the Bazaar In Bloom, told Humber News the event is part of the course curriculum.
“The objective of the course is for the students to organize an event and the fashion art business departments want to focus on sustainability, we have created another illustration of the Eco-closet event this year event is Bazaar in Bloom,” she said.
The students planned this event together to learn and show each other how to plan an event, Aslam said.
Clothes sold at the event were donated. Organizers placed donation boxes around campus, the athletics desk, the Office of Sustainability, and the Academic and Career Success Centre.
The prices for the gently used clothing ranged from $5 to $15, depending on the item. Cash was not accepted and customers who purchased a minimum of $20 before tax received a recyclable tote bag.
Helen Essien, the inventory manager of Bazaar In Bloom, said her role included knowing the prices of each item.
Being part of the event had a big impact on her.
“This event means a lot to me because getting people to donate what is used and they don’t have to let it go just like that,” she said. “We have beautiful clothes and at the end of the day we are going to donate the clothes, and giving back to society means a lot to me.”
As a cashier, she saw how much was sold. Knowing that all the money will go toward a good cause, is a great feeling, Essien said.
Many students enhanced their sales experience by interacting with shoppers.
Allana Maniquiz, who took on the role of a stylist, said her goal was to help customers gain their sense of style.
“I’m very big on customer service [and] my focus is always on the customer’s wants and needs,” she said. “If I can help them in any way, even if they just try on something and don’t buy it, as long as they feel like they have been helped by me, that’s all I want.”
The event wasn’t just about fashion but also touched on mental health. The name and theme of the event focus on the beauty of nature to help uplift people’s spirits, Maniquiz said.
Other students who worked the event provided service on selling and trying on the preloved clothing.
Atinuke Osinada organizes the clothing rack so customers can look through the clothes that will be sold. Photo credit: Eleanor Kate Iglesia
Atinuke Osinada, the student overseeing the change rooms, said they were there to promote sustainable fashion and support small businesses.
“I feel amazing and satisfied with myself knowing I have to power influence someone to help their fashion decision,” she said.
Since fashion is her passion, the event provided additional experience in retail, Osinada said.
Another eco closet marketplace will be held at the Lakeshore campus in March 2024.
IGNITE and the Office of Sustainability supported the event.