Byron fashion event to help family pay for cancer battle

LOCAL designers are putting on a fashion show of unreleased collections for a fundraising event to help a local family pay medical bills.

Ashlea Penfold is a locally-based fashion makeup artist who has worked with Australia's best models and labels, as well as many of the designers from Byron Bay.

The show will be held at The Farm at Byron Bay on Friday, May 1.

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Husband Matt Penfold is currently undergoing chemotherapy for Hodgkin's disease and the couple's five-year-old autistic son Cove has ongoing medical costs.

When the local fashion community heard about the plight of the family, "they did what they do best, and decided to put on a fashion soiree", said Mel Carrero, the marketing manager with Spell and the Gypsy Collective.

The Farm in Byron is converting a barn for the show, while local labels, photographers, designers and accessory providers are collaborating for Friday's event.

Spell will be showing its new collection at the event, giving people a chance to see the designs two weeks before they are officially launched.

Other designers will be giving "exclusive sneak peaks" of their autumn and winter collections.