Advice on what not to wear offered

Northland women will be educated on "what not to wear" at a fashion conference in Kaitaia later this month.

August 31 will mark the fourth time "what not to wear" has advised women in the Northern region on their fashion style since 2006.

Event organiser Rachel Baucke-Bartlett saw there was a need for more styling advice in Northland and decided something could be done to help the community as well.

"Lots of people are sort of mismatched and don't really know what their personal style is," Mrs Baucke-Bartlett said.

"Up here the fashion is casual and people tend to dress down quite a bit. You even see people wearing their pyjamas in public."

Each year the event is slightly different and this year will be focusing on "What's your personal style?"

Stacey Beatson will be the stylist for the event.

She has had more than 15 years of styling experience.

Once a consultant for L'Oreal on hair and make-up, she is an executive member of the New Zealand Federation of Image Consultants and a member of the Association of Image Consultants International.

Mrs Baucke-Bartlett says each year's fashion classes are different and the community gets in behind it.

The funds from the last event in 2009 went towards building a house in Uganda for a widow and eight orphans.

The Northland district raised more than $30,000 for the cause.

Funds raised this year will be going towards a van for a church youth group. "We've literally run our vehicles into the ground," Mrs Baucke-Bartlett said.

Tickets are available at the Information Centre, Te Ahu Centre, South Rd, Kaitaia.

Tell us what you think - what's fashionable in Northland and what's the worst fashion disaster you've seen in the region? Email reporters@northernadvocate.co.nz or text NAD and your comment to 021-2414568.