Blue Wrap Runway showcases Partners for World Health’s resourcefulness

Every aspect of Partners for World Health’s Blue Wrap Runway Fashion two-night event, May 15 and 16 at The Good Theater at Stevens Square in Portland was mission-focused: The fashion was inspired by 20 of the 34 countries where Partners for World Health has shipped supplies or gone on medical missions.

And the garments were designed by volunteers from upcycled medical materials, including the ubiquitous blue wrap used to wrap sterilized surgical instruments.

“So often, surplus medical supplies and equipment are discarded due to ongoing challenges in our healthcare system,” said Partners for World Health founder Elizabeth McLellan. “We redistribute those supplies to help those right here in Maine, all over New England and all over the world.”

It makes perfect sense that Partners for World Health’s signature fundraiser showcases the nonprofit’s environmental and humanitarian mission with creative resourcefulness.

For this sixth Blue Wrap Runway since 2011, there certainly was no shortage of imaginative repurposing. Reflecting on an air shipment of dental supplies to Lebanon, designer Paula Marie Gallucci added glitz to a Lebanese gown using dental mirrors. Cheslye Ventimiglia, who volunteers in the Portland Stage costume shop, embellished an Ethiopian gown with a green-and-reddish coffee plant motif composed of triangles of a green N-95 face and a hot-pink johnny. And Raisa Pelletier of Raisa’s Sewing and Accessories designed a bird-like Ecuadorian garment with a Fiestas de Carnaval-inspired headpiece made of long cotton swabs.

“All of these dresses come with such extraordinary stories, and they’re woven together with the mission of Partners for World Health,” said emcee Tory Ryden, wearing an Armenian-inspired blue wrap caftan. “Partners sent 22,000 pounds of beds and biomedical equipment to Armenia, and it was a huge lift to that region.”

More than 750 people saw this year’s Blue Wrap Runway show, which included performances by Broadway singer George Dvorsky, Haitian American singer Jennifer Rachele and the Taiko Maine Dojo drummers. Host committee members — wearing blue wrap boutonnières — also attended an opening night cocktail reception a short walk away at the former McAuley High School chapel.

“This is so amazing to see what this organization is doing and what its ambitions are,” said Ann Elderkin, a host committee member from Cape Elizabeth.

A local philanthropist made an anonymous commitment to match donations of up to $50,000 made by June 16. Donations have reached more than 44 percent of the match so far. If the full match is made, the Runway event will have raised $164,000 to continue bringing medical missions and supplies to areas of need worldwide. To donate: www.partnersforworldhealth.org

Amy Paradysz is a freelance writer and photographer based in Scarborough. She can be reached at [email protected].

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