The Isle of Man Post Office and Manx Breast Cancer Support Group plan to auction a dress by Preen to raise funds for charity and to celebrate women’s achievements.
In conjunction with the International Women’s Day, they will be auctioning a Preen by Thornton Bregazzi dress.
The Finella dress is featured on an Isle of Man stamp, and the Duchess of Cambridge has been seen to wear this stunning design during her state visit to Canada in 2016.
This midi dress uses Preen’s signature body-sculpting matte stretch satin and features an asymmetric sweetheart neckline, fitted waist and full mid-length skirt. The Finella dress that will be auctioned is the actual dress worn by Samantha Barks, an award-winning Manx singer and actress, widely acclaimed for her role in the movie Les Miserables (2012).
Samantha, is to star as Vivian in Pretty Woman: The Musical, based on the film of the same name, which is debuting in Chicago next week.
She said: ’I have had the most fun wearing this beautiful red dress by Preen. Good luck to everyone taking part in the auction and I hope we are able to raise a lot of funds for the Manx Breast Cancer Support Group, a vital charity that does impactful and admirable work to improve the breast cancer service on the Isle of Man.’
Preen by Thornton Bregazzi is a fashion house that has become a globally-loved brand, stocked across five continents and an industry insider favourite.
Preen designs have been worn by an array of other high profile women across the globe including Michelle Obama, Diane Kruger, Scarlett Johansson, Cate Blanchett, Carey Mulligan, Beyoncé and Rhianna.
Manx-born designers Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi, who front Preen, were presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at last year’s Isle of Man Newspapers’ Awards for Excellence.
The Post Office’s stamp and coin general manager, Maxine Cannon, said: ’We are immensely proud to partner with the Manx Breast Cancer Support Group, not only to raise funds for the charity but also as a way to forge positive visibility for women.
’The island has produced a huge number of successful women in various sectors - Samantha and Thea are prime examples of Manx women who have achieved international recognition in their respective professions.
’In the spirit of celebrating women’s success, we must also support one another, and that is why we feel that the work done by the Manx Breast Cancer Support Group is extremely vital. We are happy to be able to help the charity raise funds to support the invaluable work that they do.’
Samantha selected the Manx Breast Cancer Support Group as the recipient of the auction.
The charity was formed in 2012 with the aim of improving the island’s breast and cancer services. To date it has raised over £2.3m, allowing the charity to build and support the Manx Breast Unit at Noble’s Hospital, as well as quiet rooms at both Liverpool John Lennon airport and Ronaldsway airport for anyone travelling on the patient transfer service.
Julie Stokes, chairperson Manx Breast Cancer Support Group, said: ’We are absolutely thrilled to be involved with Isle of Man Post Office and Samantha in this fantastic fundraising opportunity.
’We would like to express a huge thank you to Samantha for nominating our charity to benefit from this event.
’When we first started the Manx Breast Cancer Support Group we were lucky enough to have Samantha as our patron. Unfortunately for us, her phenomenal success means she doesn’t get to come home as often as she would like.’
The charity has recently reached its target to buy a Gamma Probe, and is now fundraising to refurbish the chemotherapy and oncology units as well as another patient quiet room at Noble’s Hospital.
The silent online auction of the red Finella dress will start on Saturday, June 23, and will end on Monday, June 25, which coincides with the Rossborough Manx Breast Cancer Support Group fashion lunch.
For details about the auction, visit www.iompost.com/preenauction.
To find out more about the Preen by Thornton Bregazzi Stamp Collection, visit www.iompost.com/preen.