SheInspiresMe: Bag a bargain at the chicest car boot sale around
Forget Bond Street, this weekend fashionistas in the know are heading for a car boot sale – and they don't get more stylish than this.
But rather than rows of Volkswagen estates bulging with bric-a-brac, the #SheInspiresMe charity sale features exclusive car boots from fashion luminaries including Alice Naylor-Leyland, Charlotte Olympia, Belma Gaudio, Elizabeth Saltzman, Alice Temperley and Stella McCartney, who have all cleared out their wardrobes and stockrooms to help Women for Women International.
Fashion and accessories on sale at Brewer Street Car Park in Soho - the heart of London Fashion Week - range from personal knick-knacks to one-off samples and designer pieces. There'll also be T-shirts from London-based Canadian designer Edeline Lee, a long-time supporter of the charity, which works with female survivors of war.
She tells Portfolio: "Last year, I designed scarves exclusively for Women for Women International and this time we have made some very cute T-shirts. The Car Boot Sale is such a fun and creative way to raise funds. I had so much fun doing it last year and I'm really looking forward to the next one."
Beauty lovers can also get hair and make-up tips as well as makeovers from the Braid Bar and make-up artist-to-the-stars Charlotte Tilbury, while Art Buddies children's art workshop will keep the younger fashionistas amused. And as shopping can be hungry work, chefs from London eateries the Store Kitchen and CRU Kafe will be on hand to rustle up some tasty sustenance.
Bargain-hunters at the inaugural event last year included Lily Cole, Jasmine Guinness, Camilla Kerslake, Thomasina Miers and Jade Parfitt, who joined hundreds of fashion-lovers to raise more than £66,000 for the charity.
Car-booter Quentin Jones, who was also at last year's event, promises to have plenty of bargains to sell.
"Working in the fashion industry, your wardrobe swells very quickly and it is brilliant to have such an important cause to edit it for," she tells Portfolio. "The amazing work that Women for Women International do is the best motivation to give up items that you have kept hold of but never really wear."
Women for Women executive director Brita Fernandez Schmidt adds: "Once again for the #SheInspiresMe Car Boot Sale we have a magnificent, creative group of women and brands joining forces to show the power of fashion to create real change for women survivors of war – our sisters – on the other side of the world. I could not be more delighted and grateful."
#SheInspiresMe fashion car boot sale, in support of Women for Women International, takes place from 1pm-5pm this Saturday 6 May at Brewer Street Car Park, Brewer Street, London. Tickets cost £10 and can be ordered online here[1].
