This post is part of a series profiling the 2014 #SoGood Award winners announced at June’s State of Innovation Forum. These worthy winners are companies and individuals who are heavily contributing to social good in Boston and beyond. Read their stories to discover how you can give back this summer.
It all started with an Alice + Olivia jacket…
Shopping doesn’t typically translate to social activism. Quite often, it’s a pretty selfish activity, done purely for one’s own benefit. But that wasn’t the case for friends Anna Palmer and Christine Rizk on one fateful day in 2011. The two Harvard Law grads were browsing a thrift shop when they unearthed an Alice + Olivia jacket under a pile of second-hand odds and ends.
“A beautiful Alice and Olivia jacket was on it's way to be bundled and sold for pennies.” Palmer and Rizk said to BostInno.
Being savvy shoppers, the two knew how much that designer jacket was worth, and it was at that moment the idea for Fashion Project was born.
“We thought about the items sitting in the back of our closets and how much good they could do for the charities closest to our hearts if they were sold at true market value,” the co-founders said. “We founded Fashion Project so every dress, handbag, or accessory could make a big impact for organizations around the world.”
And make an impact they have. Fashion Project partners with over 800,000 nonprofits and reaches over 34 countries, securing the startup as an industry leader in online clothing donation. It seems their mission resonated with consumers who appreciate the chance to not only buy some bling, but support a good cause.
“It no longer becomes about selling a Tory Burch flat or Escada sweater, it's about $50 more to cancer research or 47 meals at a soup kitchen on a Saturday,” the co-founders said.
For shoppers with a soul, it’s a win-win. Even Heidi Klum has joined the movement, donning donated duds at Fashion Week.
Fashion Project found a way to turn a charitable mission into a business, making them a model of social entrepreneurism and worthy recipients of the 2014 #SoGood Mission Initiative Award.
BostInno sat down with Fashion Project founders Anna Palmer and Christine Rizk for glimpse inside this innovative startup. Read on to hear the two dish about their road to success, making Boston their home, and which big-name retailers are now Fashion Project partners.
BostInno: Share the story behind your company and mission.
Anna Palmer & Christine Rizk: The idea behind Fashion Project spawned from a love of designer labels and a desire to give back. About 80 percent of items donated through typical thrift stores are sold for as little as $0.30 per pound....We thought about the items sitting in the back of our closets and how much good they could do for the charities closest to our hearts if they were sold at true market value. We founded Fashion Project so every dress, handbag, or accessory could make a big impact for organizations around the world.
How has your company impacted the Boston area and beyond?
Boston has been our home and holds many fond memories and milestones for us. We conceived of the idea to found Fashion Project while in line for graduation from Harvard Law School. We were very fortunate to be a part of TechStars Boston, which provided us with our founding funding, mentors, etc. We've recently announced a partnership with Lord & Taylor to encourage customers to donate clothing through Fashion project with all proceeds going to The Jimmy Fund, a charity near to our hearts and in our own backyard.
What has been key to your success?
Staying true to our values. Our goal is to be easy to use for consumers and give as much back to charity as possible. We never compromise on those principles despite the business pressures and challenges they sometimes present.
What do you love most about being a part of a company with a mission?
Its incredibly energizing to come into work every day and know you are enabling people to make a huge difference in their local communities and around the world.
Our charity partners serve as a source of inspiration; seeing them working so hard to find a cure for a disease or to feed families in need. It no longer becomes about selling a Tory Burch flat or Escada sweater, it's about $50 more to cancer research or 47 meals at a soup kitchen on a Saturday. That realization puts everything into perspective and provides the motivation to keep us going.
Have you had any especially memorable items or brands donated?
Christine: Probably the outfit Heidi Klum wore to fashion week. The top sold for $269 and the vest sold for $98, so a total of $180 went to amfAR for AIDS Research.
Anna: I recently bought a Valentino leather jacket on Fashion Project and with that purchase, donated over $100 went to train companion dogs for those in need.
Tell us a bit about your in-store donation program.
We have a few exciting retail partnerships happening right now that reward customers for giving back.
Nordstrom has joined with Fashion Project to help their customers pay their fashion forward. Simply go to www.fashionproject.com/Nordstrom and sign up to receive a donation bag. You can choose any charity to donate to, and for every five qualifying items you donate, you'll be rewarded with a $40 gift card to refill your closet at Nordstrom.
Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman are offering customers who participate in the InCircle loyalty program have access to the White Glove donation service, in which a Fashion Project stylist comes to your home to pick up your items. Additionally, for every 10 items donated, InCircle members will a $100 gift card.
Finally as we mentioned above, we just joined with Lord & Taylor and The Jimmy Fund to offer customers of five New England Lord & Taylor stores (including the one in the Prudential Center!) an opportunity to donate clothing through Fashion Project to The Jimmy Fund and be rewarded with a $20 gift card to Lord & Taylor for every five items donated.
