It was started by Laurel Lunnen, an administrative assistant in the department of fine arts, media and design, whose own daughter, Story, was born 15 weeks premature and weighed merely one pound, 12 ounces.

Lunnen and her husband, Mat, were in the hospital for four months keeping watch of their daughter’s delicate health, and while they are “average financially,” with her husband having to take time off work, constant meals out, and other factors like hospital parking – it was a strain, she said. “It really is a crisis situation,” she said.

About 700 babies are born prematurely a year at St. Joseph’s, and two years ago, Lunnen and her husband decided they needed to help the families of these children after being thrust into that world themselves.

Given that they had a good idea of what these families need, they raise money and purchase everything from gas to grocery cards, help with parking and any other unexpected costs for such families.

But it’s more than just giving them a gift certificate for one night out, Itsy’s focus is helping as many families as they can in a big way and being part of the Futuristic show is a great way to keep doing so, said Lunnen.

“We’re really honoured to have been chosen by the fashion merchandise students,” she said. “We’re really impressed by how they’re incorporating Itsy into the show, how they haven’t forgotten about it.”

Besides providing money for this local cause, the Futuristic show is a night of forward-thinking fashion using recycled and reused materials from aluminum foil to bubble wrap to duct tape and more.

“The thinking is really outside of the box and (the students) use materials you wouldn’t see in conventional fashion shows,” said Katie Fyfe, merchandise coordinator for the show.

There are over 60 garments, all with a funky futuristic theme – expect to see a lot of blacks, silvers and bright neons.

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