To adhere to COVID-19 protocols, last year the annual Benefit Fashion Show adopted a fashion magazine format, for which students dressed up in a theme of their choosing and sent their photos to the officers; it raised $1,000 for the fire-relief charity Felton Fire Protection District.

Due to the popularity of last year’s “Vintage” theme, one theme for 2022’s Benefit Fashion show is set as “Retro.” Other themes include “Girls Night Out,” “First Date,” “Shoes” and “Cultural.” The funds raised by the show will go to a charity supporting victims of sexual violence, according to senior Benefit commissioner Grace Hsu.

Although the fashion show is scheduled to take place in February, the commission has started preparing for the event during the fall semester, as they did pre-COVID-19. 

“One of the big goals is to get a lot of participation, especially from underclassmen, and another goal is to raise more money after having a difficult time last year,” Hsu said. 

Apart from these goals, she also hoped to find a charity that could spark discussion among the student body about the issue of sexual assault, which is especially relevant to the student body with the addition of Title IX education.

Participants can present their own styles for the fashion show, she said. Clothes either come from students’ own design or local businesses — typically small boutiques from Los Gatos downtown — because the commission wants to support small businesses and use the previously-established rapport to borrow the clothes. 

“I really liked working with the other commissioners and going to downtown Los Gatos to talk to all the managers of the stores and explain to them what benefit does,” Hsu said.

 Although the commission has just begun sending out interest forms, Hsu anticipates more participation than last year because people are excited to get involved in in-person events.

For her part, Hsu said that she was grateful to have it back after being online for a year.

“I’m a huge people-person, so my favorite part is being involved in working with everyone,” she said. “I really like managing things and reaching out to people. It’s going to be fun.”