Once Upon A Time, We Bought A Beautiful Dress…

It was a season thing, we walked into a store at the beginning of a season not just to buy a dress but to our a seasonal outfit. Over the years, say, since the 1960s women worked and had more freedom of choice. This meant they didn’t need to buy clothes seasonally, in such a formal way, but as and when they needed them. Well if you were not travelling abroad in the heat of the summer but maybe at the end of the summer season, why would you buy a swimming costume in May? As trends across the globe have changed the way literally everything, all ways have become different. What we spend our money on, and the way we spend it is more under the spotlight than ever before. One thing most of us agree with is if we do want to buy a new swimsuit in November we can and we can also do some good by giving back when we do. The trend of giving when you get is becoming more and more important for all; Treat yourself but also treat others…Find out more here in Once Upon A Time, We Bought A Beautiful Dress…

We have been brought up to believe that buying something nice for yourself is a treat. And let’s be honest we all enjoy a great shopping fest, especially if it means bagging ourselves (or others) a designer bargain. Bicester Village just near Oxford an hour or so outside of London, is a well-loved destination for designer shopping at reduced prices. So we shop, get a day out in the village, bag a bargain and go home happy. But now we can add an extra step so that we do good at the same time as we give ourselves a little self-love.

The Company alongside each of its worldwide shopping destination villages has a Do Good programme that is now in its 10th year. To celebrate 30 years of Women for Women International and 10 years of Smart Works, Bicester Village has launched the DO GOOD pop-up shop from 6th September to 4th October in support of women worldwide.

For the third year, the DO GOOD pop-up will look to unlock the future of women, with 100% of sales going towards impacting women in countries affected by conflict and empowering women to reach their full potential. Discover a curated collection of pre-loved, vintage and new designer pieces from brands such as ALIGNE, Borgo de Nor, Cefinn, Dear Frances, Jenny Packham MISSOMA, Never Fully Dressed, Oliver Bonas, Scamp & Dude and many more.

Both two charities involved, Smart Works and Women for Women International, are part of the global philanthropy programme, DO GOOD with The Bicester Collection, which has a clear vision and purpose: to unlock futures for women and children, wherever they’re born. DO GOOD transcends borders, collaborating with local organisations and partners to address unique challenges faced by women and children in diverse communities.

As a charity Women for Women International invests where inequality is greatest by helping women who are the survivors of war and conflict.

From Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Kosovo, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Sudan, women learn skills to rebuild their families and communities through the Stronger Women, Stronger Nations Programme.

They form support networks, are equipped with the skills to earn an income and save and gain knowledge and resources about health and their rights.

The Other Charity Smart Works is a dynamic, high profile and fast-growing UK charity that dresses and coaches unemployed women for success at their job interviews. Empowering each woman by giving her the clothes and the confidence she needs to succeed.

After visiting Smart Works, 69% of clients secure a job within a month, gaining financial independence and transforming their lives.

The Smart Works service is delivered in London, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Newcastle, Reading and Leeds. Over the past ten years, Smart Works has helped over 30,000 women.

Now in this day and age when we look to dress for success, treat ourselves to a shopping day out, have a luxurious day out at Bicester Village, and buy designer goodies, it comes with added bonus of giving back. It’s not just a win-win it’s a win win win.

Smart Works, which will take over the space from 21 September – 4 October Women For Women International have taken over the space from yesterday 6th to 18 September

Value Retail Management Bicester Village Ltd 50 Pingle Drive Bicester Oxon OX26 6WD TEL +44 (0)1869 323 200 — FAX +44 (0)1869 323 201
BicesterVillage.com TheBicesterCollection.com

Smart Works Charity, Charity No: 1080609

Women for Women International UK, Charity Registration Number: 1115109

If you enjoyed reading Once Upon A Time, We Bought A Beautiful Dress… Why not read Stories noted in between the creamy pages Here?

.Cent Magazine London. Be Inspired; Get involved