Fashion Project - Fashion as a force for good

by Startacus Admin
It’s London Fashion Week and whilst we are the first ones to admit that we aren’t exactly fashion’s most dedicated followers, we are certainly not ones to shy away from the spotlight…or a challenge for that matter.. That's why we’ve been looking all around to find inspiring/startup fashion type stories which best represent the spirit of Startacus… here’s a great little discovery that we made.
Fashion Project was started just a few short years ago by two Harvard classmates and social do-gooders Anna Palmer and Christine Rizk. Their idea was a simple one…. to find a way for designer clothing to be donated to charity in such a way that its resale value (and thus the charity’s proceeds) would be more in line with the item’s actual value, rather than what someone was willing to pay for it amongst the bric-a-brac of the typical thrift store. The pair explain the dilemma they were facing:
“Traditional thrift stores are volume businesses set up for low-quality merchandise, causing valuable designer items to be baled and shipped overseas for as little as 40 cents per pound. “
Anna and Christine’s solution to this problem was to create an online retail platform specifically dedicated to the donation and resale of womens designer clothing- a place where the Mulberry shoulder bag, Chanel Clutch, Manolo Blahniks and Burberry raincoat could stand side-by-side in an environment thoroughly conducive to the sale of high end goods…a place where fashion, could be a force for good.
Although the pair were both attending Harvard Law School when they met, their true passion lay with businesses, startups and social impact projects so their combined venture is an innovative and novel combination of the three.
So how does it work?
Imagine if you will, that you are a very fashionable person (quite the challenge as we catch a reflection of ourselves on the screen) and you have some items which you would like to donate to charity. The Fashion Project website will allow you to request a pre-paid donation bag, or print off a freepost label and then all you need to do is send the items off. Fashion Project will then value your items and list it on their site and when it sells, they donate the majority of the proceedings (minus a $20 processing fee) to a registered charity of your choice. You can even claim tax relief on the donation so its a win/win/win kind of situation.
We doff an imaginary cap to these ladies for their innovative and enterprising efforts to encourage a spot of charitable giving into the world of high end fashion.
If you liked hearing about Anna and Christine’s great startup idea, then we reckon you will love taking a peek at these!
Mallzee release new Personal Shopping App
Taggled - the future of vcommerce?
Setting up a fashion website - An interview with Jo Booth
Join Startacus - the Self Start Society!
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
The latest addition to the LEVELUP agenda is an online Speed Networking event, in partnership with Allstate NI and powered by Netminds. Come along and make new connections!

Digital DNA, leading lights in the NI Tech and Business community announced as media partners for the LEVELUP events at Derry & Strabane Enterprise Week

Kellie McCord from Toastmasters International shares some tips on a few of the key things you should consider to make sure that the online experience is inclusive and easier for more people

Thinking about embarking on currency trading? Here are some basic tips that will help you do just that...

Thinking of using email marketing to promote your startup? Here are a few of the key things to consider when doing just that...

The lowdown on Fleex, the startup that helps companies provide remote employees with all they need to make working from home more comfortable

Judging panel now revealed for the LEVELUP startup pitch comp for early stage NI startups taking place at Derry & Strabane Enterprise Week - entries open until 10th April

Key speakers, panelists and sponsors announced for the LEVELUP event, taking place on 21-22 April as part of Derry & Strabane Enterprise Week

As we slowly emerge from the pandemic, here is an overview of a few of the key things that you can do to help set the foundation for a stronger year ahead

The lowdown on Leaf Envy, the startup that wants to help us all become plant parents and grow our indoor jungle of dreams...
Published on: 16th February 2014
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.







- Startacus brings virtual speed networking to Derry & Strabane Enterprise Week 2021 12th Apr 2021 The latest addition to the LEVELUP agenda is an online Speed Networking event, in partnership with Allstate NI and powered by Netminds. Come along and make new connections!
- LEVELUP bags Digital DNA as media partners 12th Apr 2021 Digital DNA, leading lights in the NI Tech and Business community announced as media partners for the LEVELUP events at Derry & Strabane Enterprise Week
- Huge rise in dog weddings leads Feast It and Poppy’s Picnic to launch dog wedding planning service 31st Mar 2021 "Mutt-rimonials" are on the horizon thanks to Woof Weddings, the UK's first dedicated wedding planning service for dogs
- Manual, the innovative Men’s Health platform Raises $30M Series A 31st Mar 2021 Manual secures major investment to help with product development and international expansion and its overall mission to become the global destination for men’s health