There is always hope where there is a glimmer of love

Iri Duval seeks your support for the A Dress a Woman in Needevent

Iri Duval is one very interesting lady, having lived through some serious hardships, she has found a real calling in supporting woman who, like her have experienced adversities. Unemployed and with a crumbling relationship, Iri decided to look inward for inspiration. A Dress a woman in Need was the result.

"It started from my home, I was spring cleaning and realized just how much we have, dresses and other items, that we will never wear. My daughters had attended many beautiful events. So many dresses that they refuse to wear again," said Iri.

So one day, six years ago, Iri decided to put them together and published a message on Facebook, asking her friends to help her collect dresses and accessories to donate to less fortunate women in her community.

Iri's Facebook friends loved the idea and they started donating their unwanted dresses. Iri had found help, first from her Facebook community and soon support started pouring in from all corners of the world.

Iri is selective who deserves to be gifted one of her outfits, she head hunts deserving woman, "I gift wrap the dresses with pride, and I try to create the right ambiance, my intention is to make a difference in somebody's life."

The highlight is to create The Green Carpet Dress Share, sharing previously loved outfits and gifting them to women in need. "For me it is truly a moving experience, as each dress finds its model, it creates the opposite of the Red Carpet experience, it becomes a platform for giving."

Iri believes that to share is the ultimate sign of humanity. "To reach out and to stop for just a moment in your life and truly embrace others who truly go unnoticed in many ways."

"I know at the moment the demands on daily living are truly hard. People are in a rat race. Many are experiencing difficult times and are actually loosing hope. This function is a token of hope ...a moment of time to shine, a kind gesture from one stranger to another. There is always hope where there is a glimmer of love."

Iri is planning a new The Green Carpet Dress Share Event, and she needs your help. In order to sustain this beautiful project you need to sponsor a once loved dress. Or you can sponsor a service: Entertainment, sound or equipment, printing, venue hire, dÈcor or transport.

Alternatively you can sponsor a product, refreshments, food or snacks. Or just sponsor your time. Volunteer by supporting the team to make this day special a success.

For more information contact Christin Robson, Miss Teen Globe/Tourism SA Finalist 2019on 064 1102 438. Or Melanie Ray on 076 472 4635 or Iri Duval 084 5288 941.

A Dress a woman in Need function will happen on Saturday the 8th of December at St Michaels Parish Hall, Blackburn Road in Durban. Dress code is formal and the cover charge is R60. All are welcome.