A designer sale hosted by beauty entrepreneur Trinny Woodall has raised money for a charity supporting women facing hardship.
Funds from the event, which happened from 10-11 October, will contribute to a campaign from the charity King’s Trust, called Change a Girl’s Life, which works to support the future of young women feeling discouraged about their futures.
Selling more than just pre-loved clothing, brands such as Burberry, LVMH Company and Jimmy Choo all donated some of their wares.
Shannon Hay, 29, the project manager for the event, told the Londoners: “We have had such an incredible committee of women coming together all wanting to raise as much money as possible to change girl’s lives.”
Claire Burrows, founder of the brand Air & Grace, working alongside King’s Trust for this event said: “The gala was an incredible evening – hearing first-hand from the women whose lives have been changed by the Trust was so moving, and such a powerful reminder of why the Change a Girl’s Life campaign matters.
“It’s proof of just how strong we are when women support women.”
Woodall contributed over 400 items of her own clothes, shoes, jewelry and accessories which people ‘flocked’ to.
Lorna Ive, a fashion stylist and professional make-up artist, who uses the Instagram handle @bylornaive, said: “It was like Harrod’s sale day.
“Everybody went straight to Trinny’s wardrobe!
“I barrelled my way through and made out with a pair of MUI MUI shoes which I am quite happy about.”
This was Ive’s first time hearing about the charity campaign and was inspired to participate.
When asked about her experience, she said: “It felt empowering to be a part of women in support of one another.
“Something that women all love is fashion, and coming together to create funds to help women succeed in life, it felt good to know you were making a change for other women.”
Finders Keepers Club partnered up with the King’s Trust for this event which works to promote sustainability and minimise waste.
Founder, Katy Christie-Miller, said: “We, at Finders Keepers Club, love to support charities and give back.
“Fashion is our area of expertise and we have come to advise, help set up, and it’s just a joy to come and do what we do as volunteers in an environment surrounded by things that we love and are passionate about.
“This event in particular has just been a joy. It takes an army to build something like this.”
After weeks of working for one goal, Christie-Miller said: “The tills are singing and we are very happy!”
The King’s Trust encourages people to shop with brands that partner with Change a Girl’s Life, raising funds that go towards training courses with potential employers, access job opportunities and support with practice interviews.
This two-day event built momentum around the cause and allowed people to come together to make a change and feel the energy of the campaign flourish.
Other celebrities ambassadors include Georgie Coleridge Cole, founder of Sheerluxe, the UK’s leading fashion and lifestyle publication, and Charlie Hedges from BBC Radio 1.
Prior to the event, an invite-only gala evening happened on 9 October, where celebrity ambassadors joined for an auction which donated all of its funds to Change a Girl’s Life.
The campaign is under a wider umbrella of Women Supporting Women which the King’s Trust established in 2018.
Research from the Prince’s Trust NatWest Youth Index 2024 suggests that young women are feeling increasingly hopeless about their future due to multiple contributing factors such as cost of living crisis.
The charity continues to help women build their confidence, and receive the support that they need in order to get education, training, or jobs in order to change the trajectory of their future.
One such example is founder of the brand Coconut Palm, Georgia Leslie.
When asked how this campaign has shaped her life, she said: “I started my business, Coconut Palm, with support from the The Trust’s Enterprise course and I don’t think I would be where I am now without it.
“Not only did it give me the business knowledge, but it gave me the confidence and support to carry my business forward.
“A lot of girls feel the effects of gender inequality and end up getting left behind.
“The campaign helps to raise awareness of the barriers young women are facing and the programmes The King’s Trust provides work towards removing some of those barriers.”
Featured image credit: Madigan Gallagher
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