Fashionistas stepped out in style, on 28 May, at a fashion show at the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes, which has raised more than ten thousand pounds for Mountbatten Isle of Wight. 

The professionally-staged event saw 16 models — amateur and professional — take to the catwalk in outfits created by Isle of Wight  couture designer, Sue Bonham. Among those to strut their stuff were the High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight, Nigel Hartley, MBE, and Mountbatten vice chairman, Michael Acland.

Also featured were Island boutiques, including Yarmouth's Blue by the Sea, Newport's Visual Impact and Cowes' Live Like This. The well-known outlets were featured alongside Musto,Helly Hansen and Ratsey and Lapthorne, as well as some hand-picked vintage items, selected from Mountbatten's network of charity shops.

Photo: Mary Johnston-Taylor, longtime support of Mountbatten Isle of Wight, models an outfit by Sue Bonham.

Marine-themed sterling silver and gold jewellery, by Thomas P Cochran at Arreton Barns, was worn by the models. 

Hampshire-based At Last completed the line-up, also showcasing some of its beautiful dresses, while Tony Martin provided the soundtrack to the catwalk and harpist Bella Brown performed the incidental music.

Over £11,000 was raised for Mountbatten Isle of Wight, from ticket sales, an auction, a raffle and advertising in the event programme. Donations are still coming in.

‘This is my thank you’

Chair of the fashion show, Sue Bonham, said: “When my father died in 2023, he benefitted enormously from the Mountbatten Isle of Wight's care. It transformed the quality of his final years. This is my thank you to the hospice charity.

"I have wanted to stage a fashion show for some time. My background in couture design and production, in London, over the last 30 years and for many clients, some of them household names, has given me the experience I needed to make this a success. I am so pleased it has raised such a large amount of money." 

Fashion Show chair, Sue Bonham and Nigel Hartley, MBE, High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight. Photo by Gemma Fox.

Becky McGregor, Mountbatten CEO, said: “This was a really exciting event with lots of energy and star quality. Everyone had a great evening and we are absolutely delighted over £11,000 has been raised.

"Mountbatten relies on donations — including through events like this one and our charity shops, where you will find fashionable items at a fraction of their original price. It is how our expert staff can continue to offer a wide range of 24/7 end-of-life services to Islanders and their families, in people’s homes, on our inpatient unit, and to outpatients, though day, rehabilitation and bereavement services."