In an act of retail activism, the highly anticipated Housing Works Fashion for Action fundraiser collected $250,000 to support the HIV nonprofit’s mission.
The fashion-forward fundraiser kicked off on November 12 with a VIP opening night reception and sale featuring discounted apparel and accessories from over 80 brands and a dozen curators.
The shopping extravaganza took place at the Housing Works flagship thrift shop in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood. The event was open to the public from November 13 through 15.
Launched in 1990, Housing Works has grown to serve more than 30,000 low-income and homeless New Yorkers, most of whom are living with or affected by HIV and AIDS. Fashion for Action, Housing Works’ signature fashion fundraiser, has raised over $10 million total for the nonprofit’s mission.
Guests shopped generously donated items—up to 80% off!—from top brands, including Bergdorf Goodman, Christian Siriano, Kenneth Cole, Steve Madden and dozens more.
This year’s cochairs included Patricia Clarkson as honorary cochair alongside Nigel Barker, Mickey Boardman, Laura Brown, Kesha McLeod, Cameron Silver and Todd Snyder.
Closet Curators included Robyn Mowatt, Alice + Olivia, Derrick Adams, Jason Bolden & Adair Curtis and many more. The event also featured live music from Kristine Barilli, MAKADSI and Mia Moretti. See the whole list of designers and curators here.
“When I got the ask, it was a no-brainer, I said ‘yes’ immediately,” Mowatt, who has worked in the fashion industry for more than a decade, told ABC News.
This year’s Fashion for Action aligned with Hunger and Homelessness Awareness week, an annual program that draws attention to the problems of hunger and homelessness through educational, fundraising and advocacy events.
Housing Works runs 10 New York City–based thrift shops and an online shop. If you couldn’t attend Fashion for Action, there’s still time to shop discounted items that give back this holiday season.
To read more, click #Housing Works. There, you’ll see headlines such as “‘Design on a Dime’ Raises $1.25M for HIV Programs at Housing Works,” “Watch Bodies and Coffins Pile Up in Protest Against Cuts to HIV and Health Services” and “Two NYC AIDS Bike Rides Raise Over $2.3M for HIV Efforts.”
