By Anonymous
1 min read
Creative restoration of unsellable clothing stock from Norwood charity shops proved a model fundraiser for the charity at a fashion show on Monday.
Vintage items which would normally have been sold on as rags for small change were customised into catwalk favourites, admired by 170 supporters at a Hertfordshire hotel.
The customised range was made by budding designers Robert Taylor and Bridget Wilson, who respectively manage the charity's shops in Barkingside and Golders Green. The pair spent eight months preparing the collection and the 24 items will be sold in Norwood shops or through eBay to add to the £22,000 raised from the evening towards Norwood's work with people with learning disabilities and families in need.
There were also designer collections and a contribution from participants in Norwood international bike rides, including Ravenswood village residents, who modelled branded cycling shirts.
"We have been thinking about creating our own vintage range for quite a while, but the fashion show project gave us a proper focus," explained Norwood head of trading Carole Levy.
"It was fantastic to see the positive reaction of guests as they were shown the finished products on the catwalk."
The design skills of Mr Taylor and Ms Wilson had "breathed new life into clothes we would otherwise not have been able to sell and they will now be used to raise vital funds.
"Hopefully, this will also prove that charity shops are places where you can pick up reasonably priced and good quality fashion."
