Fashionably Phi Sig
How Delta Kappa turned its annual fundraiser into the campus event of the year
When it comes to campus culture, there are fashion shows where attractive students don current retail faves, then take their turn on the catwalk – and everyone applauds. 
And then there are fashion shows, where aspiring models who’ve competed to earn a place on the runway have their upd
os professionally done, wear custom designer pieces, pose stoically before the clicking lights of professional photogs, and create not just an event, but an experience.
That kind of fashion show, which every Phi Sig chapter internationally would probably love to pull off, is what the sisters of Delta Kappa achieved this past fall with their wildly creative “Welcome to Wonderland” event. And in so doing, they raised thousands benefiting the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation and the Children’s Miracle Network.
Standing room only
This marked the seventh year the Delta Kappa Chapter at Florida International University, with more than 100 sisters, hosted the event – and it’s certainly been well attended in the past. But this year was different.
It was standing room only. More than 600 people representing Greek and student organizations on campus packed the ballroom to cheer on friends who'd competed to w
alk the runway, some with the hope of launching their own fashion careers.
The photographers were real – aspiring artists who donated their services for the right to use the photos; the hairstylists were professional, straight from Miami’s Paul Mitchell studios. The food, including decadent chocolate fountains with mountains of fruit and cookies, as well as most of the props and raffle gifts – all donated. Local fashion designers willingly lent their creations; internationally renowned clothing manufacturers clamored to get their styles in the show.
And the best part of all? People paid to get in. Tickets started at $10 per person, going up to $20 for VIPs who got front-row seating and refreshments personally served to them by Phi Sigma Sigma sisters.
A true fashion coup
How did they do it? Archon Gabriela Vazquez explains:
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First, every Greek organization was encouraged to participate. Each chapter sent would-be models – all of whom had to try out for a full week before professional modeling judges, who made final selections and then offered critiques and suggestions for the best runway performances.
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Sisters were encouraged to canvass the community for donations of every possible kind. Whatever was needed for the event, sisters found a local business willing to trade at least $50 worth of supplies, gifts or services for advertising in the fashion show program.
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Though the event was organized by the fundraising chair and her committee, every sister participated to make the fashion show a success. Phi Sigs worked every aspect of the show – from ushering guests to their seats to creating signs and stage props for the Alice in Wonderland theme. Teamwork was key.
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Sisters intentionally planned more than a fashion show. They invited a well-known band and other local musicians to perform during intermissions, keeping everyone engaged with a continually fast-paced event that spanned two hours.
Building on success
When the night was through and the proceeds counted, it was clear the event was a raging success. The chapter dona
ted nearly $3,500 to the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation – but it’s not done yet.
Taking what they learned from the fashion show, the Delta Kappas have revamped and reenergized their traditional, annual Rockathon planned for this spring. Sisters have gone back to the business community to get donations of supplies and free food, convinced a popular radio DJ to broadcast live from their event, and once again secured the participation of other Greek organizations – who will be decorating their own rocking chairs and trying to outdo one another with the goal of winning points and raising the most funds for the event. (The group that does wins bragging rights and even earns a small portion of the proceeds to benefit its own philanthropy – a great way to share the “love,” so to speak.)
“It’s just a matter of taking what we already knew – and what we’d always done – and making it even better by trying something new,” Gabriela explains. “We think other chapters could do the same thing, so it’s great to be able to share the story of this success with everyone.”
It’s great, too, that Foundation can expect yet another donation benefiting philanthropic efforts such as the U.S. Transplant Games, our kidney foundation partners in America and Canada, and even scholarships and grants for deserving sisters. Currently, Delta Kappa is on track to double its per-sister donation in the 2008-2009 academic year. Now there’s a fashion trend every Phi Sig can admire and buy into.
Do you know an outstanding chapter that deserves to be profiled? Write us at communications@phisigmasigma.org.