What: Dress for Success Auckland's Great Designer Sale featuring pre-loved designers and vintage garments Where: The Sapphire Room, upstairs at Ponsonby Central, cnr Richmond Rd and Ponsonby Rd When: Friday March 18 What time: To get in first - preview sale 4-5pm, tickets $20 General opening time with no cover charge: 5-8pm Prices: $20, $40or $60 per garment Why: To support Dress for Success, a not-for-profit organisation that empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
Dress for Success is a worldwide organisation, operating in seven locations throughout New Zealand. Auckland is the largest in the country and each year serves about 1,500 female clients who are seeking a confidence boost so that they can go on to gain work and support their families.
They come from all walks - some are long term unemployed or recently released from jail, others are new graduates or women who have endured an unforeseen life change. Each woman spends an hour inside the magical Dress for Success showroom. Here they receive a top-to-toe dressing with a trained volunteer stylist along with shoes, handbag, makeup and - quite often - the first hour of devoted attention they've had in a long time.
Executive Director Lani French says that around 70% go on to secure employment. "It's more than the numbers that count," Lani says. "It's the feeling of confidence and the self belief that women leave here with that matters most. Many say they hardly recognise themselves - we are reminding them what they are capable of."
This year's Auckland Designer Sale Many garments donated to the charity are not appropriate for an interview scenario but are high quality and hold a different value these are stockpiled and sold once a year at the annual designer sale. Dress for Success Auckland are not government funded so rely heavily on such initiatives to continue providing their services.
This year, stock on offer includes an anonymously-donated lot of immaculate, tailored suiting from the 1960s1970s which Dress for Success Auckland has chosen to showcase especially. The collection of garments (by Taumaranui tailor Michael Mattar and iconic designer Adrienne Winkelmann) were shot on location by a team of leading fashion creatives and models who all donated their time for free. The 'story of the suits' has become folklore within the charity and hopes are high that it will add a little magic to this all important fundraiser.
