Over The Rainbow

Dress For Success by Celeste de Vis

I volunteer for the Salvation Army, Western Port Mission Centre. My role is Volunteer Coordinator of Emergency Relief Services. This is highly rewarding, yet at times complex and emotionally taxing.

We provide material aid, such as free pantry food items, including baked goods and fruit/ veggies, act as a referral service, provide pastoral care and also offer our centre as a ‘drop-in’ centre for a cuppa and chat.

Each year, community service organisations on the Mornington Peninsula are invited to attend a Material Aid Forum. The aim is to ensure that we all leave armed with the most current and relevant information about our fellow service providers. Referrals to other providers are an essential part of our role to best support our clients.

It was during the 2018 Material Aid Forum that I met with Dress for Success South East Melbourne. The representatives described their service as one where they provide good quality, designer brand clothing free to members of the community. This service supports people who are not able to financially acquire clothing for events, such as job interviews and employment.

Dress for Success runs approximately one and a half hour appointments, working one on one with each client. The personalised dressing session is undertaken by trained volunteers , and additionally, they offer a oneon-one interview coaching/ mentoring session to help improve client confidence and interview skills.

But the relationship does not end there. After a client finds work, they or their agency can rebook another visit to the Dress for Success Styling Suite. They can then obtain further free work-ready outfits.

I was also pleased to learn from the representatives that they were working alongside a transgender woman named Rebecca, who was providing individual support to the transgender community.

The program is called Be Who You Are (BWYA). As quoted from their website, this program is, ‘exclusively for transgender women at any stage of their journey. Treat yourself to a one-onone styling session in the wonderful Dress for Success South East Melbourne Styling Suite: a great way to explore your passion for fashion in a safe, friendly and welcoming environment’.

I organised to chat with Rebecca to discuss this valuable service offered at the Frankston store.

Rebecca, how did you find out about the BWYA program at Dress for Success?

I accepted an invite to the forum; BWYA in Frankston, which was given to me by my Job Network WCN Jobs in Frankston.

Be Who You Are was a workshop in which some clothing and make-up was supplied for use. I assisted the others in answering questions, telling my own story and listening to their stories. We had about six participants in the group, plus the ladies who worked in the shop. The lady who presented the workshop was Tanya Williams.

How many people would you typically see in a week?

I do tend to go there every couple of weeks and see about half a dozen people, who are transgender.

What is one of the most common remarks you hear from the transgender community about clothing?

Some of them say that there are not enough clothing places that treat you with respect, but they do here.

What are the benefits of providing the service?

The sizes are suitable but, as you know, you have to try the clothing on, as labels vary with fitting. There is a variety of apparel from corporate to casual, as well as shoes, bags and of course, make-up.

Alongside this, they give you instruction on what suits the individual, interview techniques, postemployment guidance and confidence building.

Images by Celeste de Vis & Dress for Success

What would you want everyone to know about the service that you provide?

This service is an excellent way to help people who are transgender to fit better in society, gain a job, and above all, hold their head high. I’m often asked by people if they look good in this or that when I am there looking for clothing myself.

This program is a valuable service that should be put out there and shared around networks. The workshop is excellent for the Transgender community. and I would highly recommend doing the Be Who You Are workshop.

Dress For Success South East Melbourne is located at Bayside Shopping Centre, Frankston. To find out more details, or when the next workshop will be running, visit

https://southeastmelbourne. dressforsuccess.org/