Master of Education student, lifestyle and fashion blogger, Sultan Sandur is using his skills to give back to the community by suiting up high-school grads who can’t afford to dress for prom.

Sandur started Suited Up in 2018. This year, he helped two Kamloops high school students dress for their proms. He hopes the number of students he assists each year will grow.

“TRU has brought to light social issues such as marginalization and bureaucracy and is providing me with the education I need to grow my online platform and my charitable initiative,” said Sandur.

Sandur attended high school in Kamloops and completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at TRU, majoring in sociology. A successful men’s accessories designer and lifestyle influencer/blogger, he is leveraging his relationships with PR firms and lifestyle brands to make a meaningful difference in the lives of students in Kamloops.

Suited Up provides students with tuxedo rentals, haircuts, grooming products, accessories, boutonnieres and corsages so that they are covered from head to toe for one of the most memorable events of their lives.

“I launched this initiative as it is one way for me to take responsibility for inequalities. Through my travel and lifestyle blog, I was able to leverage some of the relationships that I have established over the years. This year, we were able to alleviate the financial burdens of high school graduation for two local families. It was a great success and next year I plan to expand the initiative to make a larger impact,” said Sandur.

While Suited Up benefits students and their families, Sandur gets a feeling of satisfaction from helping them. And he sometimes gets words of kindness from those he has assisted, like the following accolade from the parents of one student he dressed.

“We are ever so thankful and will always remember the kindness of the Suited Up initiative. We are very grateful for all the support given to us by the community and especially Sultan, for giving my son such a wonderful opportunity and memorable gifts that will last a lifetime.”