In a male dominated social environment, a Rushworth business owner is creating opportunities for women to connect and mingle beyond a pub setting.
On Friday, October 4, Jasmin LeDeux, owner of the Rushworth General Store, will be hosting her first fashion parade, a launch of their 2024 Spring and Summer Collection inside St Paul’s Anglican Church.
Upon arriving in Rushworth, Mrs LeDeux quickly recognised a significant gap in social venues and events catering specifically to women's networking needs.
She observed it more so when she opened her shop last year and began noticing that her shop would create a space for connection between women to arise.
Nestled on a bustling High St, the Rushworth General Store has everything and anything; but is also nothing you would expect from a typical country general store.
The store brims with an eclectic array of treasures — from homewares and soaps to perfumes, plants, and pots — enticing visitors to explore and discover hidden gems at every turn.
The shop also has a welcoming atmosphere, brought upon by Mrs LeDeux herself who welcomes patrons in with a warm smile inviting them in with conversation that makes them feel like they have known her for 20 years.
Through talking with customers, she saw the potential of friendships forming between certain people.
“I was meeting all these amazing people in the shop ... and I’d say things like ‘Do you know Lisa?’ or ‘Do you know Bridget?’ and they (said) no,” she said.
“And I thought they would be great friends if they knew each other ... I love seeing people getting along.
“I found that the general store has become a (place) for connecting people in the community.”
Ms LeDeux envisions this event as a catalyst for forging new connections, providing a welcoming space for potential friends to meet, mingle and cultivate enduring relationships.
“I noticed when I moved to the town, there was a lack of events on other than just going to the local pub … in terms than other than drinking, the creativeness of just connecting people was missing,” she said.
“So this night, it's more about connecting people and getting excitement back in town.”
The featured brand, Orienteque, showcases an inclusive range of sizes from 10 to 24, ensuring a flattering fit for women of all body types.
She formerly worked in a retail store in Melbourne and had to turn away girls looking for larger sized clothes.
“I could see their faces drop ... it killed me,” she said.
“All women want to feel beautiful and in my shop I want women to feel amazing in their own skin ... and that’s why I chose the brand that I did because it does go to those larger sizes.”
The clothes featuring in the fashion parade will be on hand for women to try on the night and, if they like them, they are able to buy them in whatever size suits them.
However, she said the main reason for putting on the event was to connect women across the region and give them a platform to meet and empower one another.
“You know what I love about this little community? Everyone’s so supportive — they want you to do well and they want you to stay,” she said.
“So I want to create a space for them to support each other also.”
On the night, there will be complementary tastings of local produce and locally made Nagamo Jewellery on sale.
Drinks and nibbles will be provided, with lucky door prizes up for grabs.
The event begins at 6pm on Friday, October 4 at St Paul’s Anglican Church Hall in Rushworth.
Those interested in attending the fashion parade can RSVP by Thursday, October 3 on 0448 842 881 on at rushworthgs@icloud.com
More information about the fashion parade can be found at https://www.facebook.com/generalstorerushworth/