The most wonderful time of the year is upon us. Yes, Christmas, but also Charity Fashion Show season at Durham, with the pinnacle of course being DUCFS. The 2020 show raised over a record-breaking £170,000, so it goes without saying that this year’s team have quite the act to follow.
DUCFS’ theme this year is #reflectreset, which hopes to deconstructing our relationship with technology and its impacts upon us. The chosen charity this year is Create, which is about empowerment through the arts. A thought-provoking combination which responds nicely to some of the issues raised by this turbulent year.
Without further ado, here’s the first half of your DUCFS 2021 Exec…
Emily Kirkby: President, Third Year, Hatfield.
What’s the soundtrack to your life?
The soundtrack of Slack notifications.
Favourite way to stay connected to those close to you?
Not Zoom.
Something you’re looking forward to post-COVID-19?
DUCFS Shows (please).
Sooyoung Han: Vice President (Creative), Third Year, Stephenson.
Trend forecast for 2021?
Wearing what you actually want to wear without the fear of judgement.
What do you do in your role?
@ing everyone in chats everyday.
Favourite way to stay connected to those close to you?
Big “You Belong With Me” T-Swift energy.
Elly Brimacombe: Charity Outreach Director, Third Year, Collingwood.
What do you do in your role?
Spamming Meg and Kirkby with outreach project ideas.
Which item of clothing do you hate to love?
Umbro hoodies.
Netflix show that describes your life?
Fleabag.
Hannah Black: PR Director, Fourth Year, Josephine Butler.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to be a part of DUCFS?
Don’t be afraid to apply or think that you’re not capable – engagement with what DUCFS is about goes a long way. Equally, don’t be scared to make your application as creative or weird as you want. I made a Tiktok – a risky idea but it paid off!
Trend forecast for 2021?
No more Y2K, I’m begging.
What’s the soundtrack to your life?
Kylie – Fever.
Liv Tomlinson: Creative Marketing Director, Fourth Year, Castle.
Trend forecast for 2021?
Ball gowns all day, everyday – Lily Allen circa 2006.
What’s the soundtrack to your life?
The Bill Bryson alarm reminding me my slot finishes in fifteen minutes.
Something you are looking forward to post-COVID-19?
Going to bed past 10pm.
Georgia Taylor: Head of Fashion, Third Year, Josephine Butler. 
What’s the soundtrack to your life?
Coffee shop ambiance: eight hours of rain sounds, jazz music and background chatter.
Which item of clothing do you hate to love?
Cowboy boots; they’re very chic but SO painful to walk in??
Netflic show that describes your life?
Absolutely Fabulous.
Izzy Taylor: Menswear Director, Second Year, Collingwood.
Which item of clothing do you hate to love?
I have a depraved infatuation with Lululemon leggings.
What is the future of technology?
WFH Wednesdays at Players.
Worst lockdown habit?
Showering sporadically.
Eve Howarth: Financial Sponsorship Director, Second Year, John Snow.
Where can you always be found in Durham?
Anywhere but my house #taketimetosign.
Which item of clothing do you hate to love?
…The flares.
Favourite way to stay connected to those close to you?
Dinner parties, long walks and tea – I believe in spending quality time with my nearest and dearest.
Sian Gibbons: Product Sponsorship Director, Aidan’s.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to be a part of DUCFS?
Just go for it! You absolutely don’t have to be an expert in the role you apply for as long as you’re willing to work hard and learn you’re all gucci. There are also smaller ways to get involved like charity/creative rep if you don’t want the responsibility of a big role.
Sum up your DUCFS experience so far in one word.
“iamcontactingyouwithregardstoanexcitingpartnershipopportunitywithDUCFS”
What does #reflectreset mean to you?
For me it means thinking about the (often negative) ways in which I use technology and making a conscious effort to use it in a positive way instead, creating lasting change in both my life and society as a whole.
Lou Gould: Venue Director, Third Year, Grey.
Most used app on your phone?
Settings probably, as I have to keep enabling my hotspot due to student Wi-Fi.
What is the future of technology?
Hopefully enabling us to connect as humans on a personal level whilst also encouraging and supporting us to be present face to face.
Netflix show that describes your life?
Gilomore Girls, with less men and more food.
Miriam Sabapthy: Head of Events, Third Year, Castle.
What do you do in your role?
Thinking of every single way of having an event in a pandemic and then having to create many many backups for inevitable cancellations.
What’s the soundtrack to your life?
Glee Albums 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
Something you are looking forward to post-COVID-19?
Going home to Malaysia 🙁
Maddy Wright: Arts Events Director, Third Year, Hild Bede.
What do you do in your role?
Organising events that engage with the creative vision and charity direction! We want to provide as many opportunities as possible for people to connect with the arts, and for student creatives to showcase their work. Positive manifestations for physical events next term please!
Most-used app on your phone?
Co-Star pretty much dictates my life.
Favourite way to stay connected to those close to you?
The unplanned calls are definitely the best.
Hermione Middle: Photographer, Second Year, Hild Bede.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to be a part of DUCFS?
Take initiative and reach out to members of the exec about the best way to get involved. Confidence is key, its cool to be passionate about something.
Trend forecast for 2021?
Clashing, corsets and ugly loafers.
Sum up your DUCFS experience so far in one word.
ItextSooMoreThanITextMyMum.
Laszlo Karsai: Graphic Director, Fourth Year, Castle.
Sum up your DUCFS experience so far in one word.
Zoom.
What is the future of technology?
Technology that lets us live sustainably on this planet.
Name one thing you are looking forward to post – COVID-19?
DJing at jam-packed club nights again.
Izzie Rei: Head of Sponsorship, Fourth Year, Hatfield.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to be a part of DUCFS?
Be passionate about DUCFS and the role you are going for and just go for it!
What your role actually does and why you chose to do it
A lot of emails and a lot more rejections.
Most used app on your phone?
Google translate (languages degree lol).
