It didn’t take long for me and Times Colonist photographer Bruce Stotesbury to realize why we were the only men in the room during a fashion frenzy at Westside Village Shopping Centre Thursday night.
“Maybe the women come and they don’t bring their husbands so they don’t know how much they’re spending,” joked Mara Szyp, the retail manager for Victoria Women in Need Community Co-operative’s three resale shops. “It would be amazing if we could get more men to come.”
Maybe so, but the 150 women at Countdown to Couture, the non-profit’s second annual seasonal fundraiser at its Wilson Street store, seemed to be doing just fine without them.
“Women do love shopping,” said programs co-ordinator Kate Fleming, offering one reason why so many women — millenials, middle-agers and seniors alike — showed up to browse and purchase donated designer clothing, footwear and accessories during what won’t be one of this town’s best-kept fashion secrets for long.
Prada, Gucci, Dior, Dr. Martens and Armani originals were among labels found on stylish, hard-to-find items including coats, jackets, handbags, dresses and shoes. We also spotted items including Italian silk men’s jackets, green leather ladies’ Fry boots, a smart Ted Baker woollen child’s sweater and a London Fog pink children’s snowsuit.
“Sex and the City,” I blurted out when Szyp challenged me to identify an eye-catching pair of black-satin stiletto Jimmy Choos.
“Yes. Good,” the hostess said with a laugh, after draping me with a cashmere Burberry scarf that retails for $675 but was being sold for $399.
“This is an accumulation of about a year’s worth of high-end donations,” explained marketing and communications co-ordinator Briana James, whose black dress matched the colour of choice for staffers Thursday.
“All the funds we collect go toward supporting our five empowerment programs. We help women with retraining, schooling and helping them move from transition houses into their own homes.”
Donations and proceeds from sales of donated goods and affordable clothing, housewares and furniture are used to fund WIN initiatives that help local women in crisis on journeys to self-sufficiency and wellness. The three retail locations are at 785 Pandora Ave., 1803 Cook St. and in Westside Village, 160-174 Wilson St.
The Christmas charity event also helps fund a program that provides gift certificates to women so they can fill essential needs for clothing, household and children’s items during a discreet shopping experience.
While admission was by donation, early birds paid $25. Punch, sushi, hors d’oeuvres, chocolates and door prizes from spa packages to deluxe brunches added to the fun.
“I really believe in the whole process they bring women through, the education they give them and their reintroduction back into society to work,” said shopper Veronica Hylands.
While scouring racks for “something that might speak to me,” Connie Sparrow praised WIN for turning “high-quality donations into cash for women who need to make a better life for themselves.”
Executive director Clare Yazganoglu said she knew Countdown to Couture would be worth repeating when lineups formed outside last year.
“We have incredible donors and wonderful support from the community,” said Yazganoglu, who said a pressing need now is donations of furniture for its New Start program.
Smiling shoppers included Cheryl Pocklington and Haley Kuppers, provincial government co-workers who decided to make a girl’s night out of shopping for a worthy cause.
“We’re very much into vintage and thrifting, so we were excited about this opportunity to buy pieces that were such good quality for our wardrobes,” Pocklington said. “We’re into having less, but better quality.”
Added Kuppers: “And we love couture. Who doesn’t?”
© Copyright Times Colonist
Most Popular
-
HBC to shutter Home Outfitters, including three on Vancouver Island
-
Police say staged attack was meant to further actor's career
-
When it comes to investing, knowledge is power
-
Belmont Market takes shape in Langford
-
'We didn't like it at all': CP Rail CEO objects to oil production curtailments
-
Downtown Nanaimo to get 172-room Marriott hotel
-
Grocer Loblaw reports sluggish food sales, touts e-commerce progress
-
Kevin Greenard: Investment options within your RRSP
-
Nanaimo passenger ferry possible for summer
-
Diego Maffia, Oak Bay eye ticket to the high school basketball's Big Dance
-
Four Victoria Grizzlies up for BCHL awards
-
Pacwest gold becoming habit for Camosun men’s volleyball team
-
Oak Bay basketball player scores record 96 points in a single game
-
Victoria’s new women’s soccer team gearing up for kickoff
-
Field set for 2019 Scotties B.C. women’s curling provincials in Kamloops
-
Canada's Jennifer Jones hands Alberta's Chelsea Carey her first loss at Scotties
-
PCO Clerk fears 'somebody's going to be shot' during coming election campaign
-
Former Whitecap de Jong is ‘all in’ with Pacific FC
Comments
NOTE: To post a comment you must have an account with at least one of the following services: Disqus, Facebook, Twitter, Google+ You may then login using your account credentials for that service. If you do not already have an account you may register a new profile with Disqus by first clicking the "Post as" button and then the link: "Don't have one? Register a new profile".
The Times Colonist welcomes your opinions and comments. We do not allow personal attacks, offensive language or unsubstantiated allegations. We reserve the right to edit comments for length, style, legality and taste and reproduce them in print, electronic or otherwise. For further information, please contact the editor or publisher, or see our Terms and Conditions.