South On The Compass

The Compass show, much like South Day and our summer ball, is a staple in the South College calendar. Countless hours of hard work and dedication go into creating the show entirely from scratch, down to the choreography, lighting, finances and much more, meaning that a staggering proportion of Southies are involved in making the event possible. And what would any fashion show be without its models, embodying the vision and bringing it to life? We play such an integral part in making Compass what it is, and so for those of you keen to debut your modelling careers in next summer’s show, read on to find out about my experience as a Compass model! 

Naturally, the first step to walking down that runway is auditioning. I remember my nerves growing exponentially each day leading up to my audition. On the day, I listened to nothing but my walk song, Kanye’s 'Fade', to the point where I’m pretty sure every lyric of that song is permanently etched into my brain. Channeling my inner Bella Hadid, I put on my coolest outfit and with the worst kind of butterflies in my stomach, marched to The Nest, ready to give it my all. The idea of strutting in front of an interview panel was terrifying, but the experience taught me the power of stepping out of my comfort zone and was surprisingly fun - I left feeling as if I’d ran a marathon in record time. 

Fundraising wasn’t just a requirement - it became a journey that pushed me beyond my limits, both physically and mentally. As someone with very little experience running, the challenge I’d set myself of completing 100k was a test of my willpower and a chance to prove to myself what I was capable of. Early morning runs around the river became the new normal, each step carrying me closer to my goal. With every kilometre I logged, I felt a growing sense of responsibility to meet my target and to contribute meaningfully to the cause. When I finally hit the 100k mark, not only had I met my fundraising goal, but I had also achieved a personal milestone that I never thought possible. The sense of accomplishment was indescribable and is something I would not have been able to achieve without Compass. 

Finally, the day of the fashion show arrived—a whirlwind of excitement and nerves.

It all started early morning with rehearsals and outfit try-ons, setting the pace for what would be an intense but exhilarating day. The transformation began as we moved on to hair and makeup with metallic eyeshadows, 60s bumps, and copious amounts of glitter that would (literally) stick with me for weeks. The hours flew by and before I knew it we were backstage, legs jittering to the music of Grassfed Salmon - suddenly, it was showtime. We shuffled into our positions as the compères introduced our walks and before I had the time to process anything happening around me, I was at the front of stage, blinded by the lights and deafened by the crowd. My brain switched to autopilot, my limbs replicated the moves I’d been perfecting for the last month, my mind too focused on counting the beats of the music. The show zipped by in a flash, leaving us on an unbelievable high as we wrapped the night up at the Nest, celebrating the hard work each of us had put in. 

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from this experience, it’s that sometimes the scariest opportunities are the ones that shape us the most. Through the fashion show I met the sweetest Southies and pushed myself to do things I never imagined myself capable of. Compass was the highlight of my second year experience and if you’re even slightly considering signing up for next year’s show— do it! ∎

• The 2024 Compass Charity Fashion Show was held on 17th June 2024 at the Mount Oswald Hub, Durham, and raised £10,007.98 for St. Cuthbert's Hospice. Read more about their work on Instagram at @compass.cfs and see how you can get involved!