YMCA Auckland co-ordinator Ben Rodgers says: "The entire show is run by young people. They present; they run the back stage; students do the make-up and hair; they model it; they design it; they do everything."
Around 130 teenagers will participate in the event, 40 of them are Raise Up leaders.
"Walk the Line gives them an amazing experience in a real-life situation.
"Not only do they gain a lot of confidence from it, putting together the show empowers them," Ben says. "It's really organised entirely by the students. We give each Raise Up crew member a role, and the crew member who we gave back-up manager [to] last year has this year been employed to run the show, because I can't be there on the night.
"She is running the whole thing; no adult supervision."
It's the second time the programme has featured at New Zealand Fashion Week. After selling out all 500 tickets to their 2010 show in a smaller venue, Walk the Line has been upgraded to the main venue with a 1000-person capacity.
"Apart from the fact that we sold out, fashion week organisers loved the concept of a show that gives young people a chance to showcase their talents," says Ben. "It's a real showcase, featuring not only young designers, but young performers and singers as well."
Walk the Line, Saturday, Sept 3, 5pm at the Westpac Shed. Tickets: www.iticket.co.nz
