29 May 2025
Parents, teachers and fashionistas packed out a school hall for the first Fleetville Fashion Extravaganza – a celebration of style, creativity and body positivity.
Hosted by Hatfield Road boutique I’m Fine Wellbeing and taking place at Fleetville Junior School, it featured an all-star line-up of models and speakers.
The show was organised by I’m Fine co-owner Natalie Heard, who said afterwards: “Wow! The support we received in Fleetville was just overwhelming, and the feedback since has been amazing. I’ve had hundreds of Instagram messages to say how incredible it was, so that’s a massive honour.”
Natalie, who has ADHD, added: “I feel it was a huge step for neurodivergence to show it doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve got, don’t let it hinder you, you can be whoever you want to be.
“I just want to say a massive thank you to the Fleetville PTA for hosting it, especially [chair] Carol Morton, my mum, my co-owner Amy, everyone who supported us on the night: Stevie B, Alex, Susie Leto, Amy Luckhurst, Siobhan Lewis for modelling when she wasn’t supposed to be, all the models were incredible.”
The models included St Albans Mums Facebook host Karen Snook, fashion guru Lisa Wisdom of Style with Wisdom, and EastEnders actor Kellie Bright, best known for playing Linda Carter on the hit soap.
Kellie, who lives in Hertfordshire, said: “I go to I’m Fine all the time. I’ve known Natalie for years and I love the shop, so when she asked me if I would come and do this, I couldn’t say no.”
Stylist to the stars Stevie B, whose clients include Ruth Jones and Alison Hammond, spoke about body positivity.
Speaking before the event, she explained how she came to be involved: “ I have known Natalie for about four or five years after meeting on the school run. I saw this mum wearing this incredible outfit and I was like, ‘OK, I need to be friends with her’ and we just connected. We both love fashion and all things a little bit outside the box.
“I’m really excited to be speaking, to be on stage with Natalie, hopefully giving some women some confidence and styling tips.
“I love working with anyone who struggles slightly with their confidence. It doesn’t matter if it’s someone that’s really, really famous or someone that’s not. It’s the same buzz of seeing someone walk into a styling session with their shoulders a little bit rounded and then they see themselves in the mirror in their first look and they’re just beaming.”
Another speaker on the night was personal stylist Alex Standley of Luxe Leopard Lifestyle, who talked about dopamine dressing, the natural chemical release you feel from wearing bright colours.
She said: “I am doing it because I love supporting the local community and I love sharing about the power of colour and style to boost your wellbeing and your mental health and all of those good things.”
The most senior model was 88-year-old Brenda Quick, who was also taking to the catwalk for the very first time. Speaking before the event, she said: “ I don’t know whether I’ll do it again either, we’ll wait and see how it goes. When I see all those young ladies with their lovely figures I think, oh!”
Carol Morton, chair of The Friends of Fleetville Junior School, said the event was helping to raise funds for a new Multi-Use Games Area at the school: “The mums – and the few dads! – who came along to our Fashion Extravaganza have been calling it the best PTA event ever! We couldn’t have done it without the enthusiasm and support of Natalie and the team at I’m Fine. The energy and atmosphere in the room was spectacular! The final total raised was a staggering £1,600 which will be split with the infants school to improve both outdoor play facilities.”
Photos: Carol Morton, Matt Adams, Kathryn Kariy.
