Update on Pink Heart Shop Sales for Dress for Success

Why Dress for Success? 

I believe in the power of dress to change a woman's life. And, many women do not have the power to change their lives themselves.

Dress for Success exists to help women find the clothing and skills to thrive in work and life. Since starting operations in 1997, Dress for Success has expanded to more than 150 cities in 28 countries and has helped nearly one million women work towards self-sufficiency.

One year ago I opened the Pink Heart Shop, a shop-within-a-shop in my Etsy store, with 100% of proceeds going to Dress for Success Worldwide. In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, I sent Pink Heart Shop proceeds to Dress for Success Houston, which was on the ground delivering donations to people in need. 

Since starting the Pink Heart Shop, I have received two generous donations of vintage clothing for me to sell, from people interested in contributing to this cause.

I'm proud and happy to say that, with your help, I have been able to donate $1123.50 this year.

There are 40 items in the Pink Heart Shop today, with more added each week. Consider adding something to your own sartorial strength while assisting someone less fortunate to do the same. 

For Houston

Today, September 1st, I'd sincerely like to be writing...

How was your summer? 
and
Welcome back to school and work! 
and (of course)
Look how you can interpret modern fall fashions with vintage!

...but my heart is too heavy with concern in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and the terrible damage it has done to Houston and the region. 

Photos of donations being delivered to the George R. Brown Convention Center, from Dress for Success Houston's Facebook page. 

As a response, I am directing all sales through September 6 from The PINK HEART Shop of my Etsy store (usually heading to Dress for Success Worldwide) to Dress for Success Houston. The organization is on the ground, doing crucial work, right now. They will also be there as people try to get their lives back in the aftermath of the hurricane.

I've stocked up the PINK HEART Shop, and am adding new every day.

It's a small contribution from my customers and me—but huge contributions are made up of small contributions, right?

We can get back to talk of school, work, and fall fashion in good time.

Update on PINK HEART shop sales

On Friday I made a second donation to Dress for Success Worldwide. It felt really good.

On November 10, 2016, I opened a shop-within-a-shop in my Etsy store, the Pink Heart Shop. 100% of the proceeds from this shop go to Dress for Success. So far, all thanks to my wonderful customers, I have been able to donate $297. I have had a lot of really positive responses.

A few of the diverse vintage items in my Pink Heart Shop right now

Many I know have been inspired to live their convictions in the wake of the November elections, and I’d like to highlight one person in particular. She is a friend—a vintage connoisseur with a penchant for 1950s styles—who has consigned many beautiful vintage fashion items with me. We made an agreement about her percentage of each sale. This partnership has been going on for years.

When she heard about my Pink Heart Shop sales, my friend asked if I would add some of her items to the Shop, which I did. Later she came back with this:

I’m wondering if you would consider taking the rest of the items I sent and just donating my portion of the sales to Dress for Success? 

What do you mean? There are many, many items... 

I mean that the items are yours and 100% of what you receive that would have come to me can go to Dress 4 Success. 

 It is a good, even great, cause. I believe in helping other women grow & grow & grow. 

And that’s the point of the cause. According to their About Us page, “Dress for Success is an international not-for-profit organization 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.

Since starting operations in 1997, Dress for Success has expanded to almost 145 cities in 21 countries and has helped more than 925,000 women work towards self-sufficiency.”

Dress for Success photo

(My friend Tweets and Pins as Spiritual Feminist—you should check her out. This is her website.)

Friday I made a donation, yesterday I took part in the Women’s March on Spokane.

I have also just donated 10% of proceeds on all non-Pink Heart Shop items to Save the Manatee Club, to help protect this beloved endangered species. This too is ongoing for me.

Human rights, the environment, public health, education... There is a lot at stake right now. In fact, one of my favorite signs from the march yesterday read TOO MANY ISSUES TO FIT ON A SIGN.

But many people (like my generous friend) give me hope.

Photo by me (Margaret Wilds)

the PINK HEART shop

As you probably know by now, 10% of my sales go to Save the Manatee Club, for the protection of this beloved endangered animal. I am thrilled that so many of you are eager to help this great cause!

In addition, starting today, there is a section within my Etsy shop with 25+ vintage fashion items. When you purchase any items from The Pink Heart Shop, 100% of your purchase price goes to Dress for Success Worldwide.

Dress for Success is a top-rated international not-for-profit organization 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. Since starting operations in 1997, Dress for Success has expanded to almost 145 cities in 20 countries. To date, Dress for Success has helped more than 925,000 women work towards self-sufficiency.

Visit the 

Dress for Success website

for more information about this fantastic organization.

Visit

The Pink Heart Shop

and come back often to see what’s new.

Call it a fight for the metaphorical pantsuit—after the U.S. election, I feel compelled to do something for the empowerment of women.