This weekend Lorraine Keane and Oxfam Ireland along with a host of fashion and lifestyle personalities are bringing Fashion Relief the fundraiser, back to Galway city.
Now in its third year, Fashion Relief has raised over €200,000 for Oxfam, with all profits supporting people affected by poverty and disaster, including communities at the sharp end of climate emergencies and conflict in places like Yemen, Ethiopia and Bangladesh.
Keane and Oxfam have teamed up again for two events in 2020, kicking off in Galway on Sunday, March 1.
The event will take place in the Galmont Hotel, where people will be able to bag a bargain from their favourite fashion brands and icons, all while raising crucial funds for Oxfam’s work worldwide.
Speaking ahead of the event, Lorraine Keane said that they’ve been blown away by the generosity people have shown so far.
“Over the last few weeks, items have been pouring in from a host of amazing designers, retailers and the public, as well as of course, celebrities and influencers.”
This year, the event is going to focus on sustainability, and trying to cut back on the massive waste generated by ‘throwaway fashion’ where huge amounts of clothes end up in the landfill after minimal use.
This event will give ‘pre-loved’ clothes a second lease on life, Lorraine explained, while raising money for people living in poverty worldwide, many of whom have been affected by the climate crisis.
Last November Keane visited the the world’s largest refugee shelter at Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, home to almost one million Rohingya refugees who fled unimaginable violence in Myanmar.
And while they may be safe from the threat of ethnic cleansing, these refugees are still left facing daily poverty in their makeshift home.
” I saw first-hand the devasting impact the climate crisis is having on people affected by poverty and disaster right now,” she said.
“Cox’s Bazar is extremely vulnerable to rising sea levels and extreme weather events like cyclones and monsoon – and when you live in a flimsy shelter made of tarpaulin and bamboo that is particularly catastrophic.”
“The Oxfam staff in the camp told me how during storms and flash flooding, homes and even little children are at risk of being washed away.”
“There are many reasons to join me at Fashion Relief in Galway, but the most important is that we’ll be raising vital funds for Oxfam’s work in places like Bangladesh where they are providing life-saving support like shelter, food, water and safe sanitation.”
Fashion Relief Galway opens at 11am on Sunday, and will showcase rail after rail of premium pre-loved clothes and accessories starting at just €5.
These will include donations from the stars and the public as well as brand-new items from designers and retailers across the nation.
Tickets for the event are just €10 and can be purchased online here.
A host of Irish designer items will be on sale from Fee G, Caroline Kilkenny, Deborah Veale, Umit Kutluk and Heidi Higgins.
There will also be a designer corner with pieces by all the high-end international fashion houses such as Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Roland Mouret, Chloe, Celine, Balenciaga, Chanel and so many more.
image credit: Brian McEvoy
