Hey kittens! As y’all know, LilyKitten.com is mainly an accumulation of my two favourite things – fashion and Manchester. It makes me so proud and so happy to tell y’all about the fashion news from my corner of the North West – for latest blog posts on Mancunian fashion news check out Paige Denim Visits Manchester, Elvis Jesus Fragrance Launch and Adidas Originals x Urban Outfitters Print Workshop.

What makes me even prouder, however, is when fashion can combine with charity to create a super duper mix of everything that is lovely in this world – especially when it’s based in my hometown. Today, I’m pleased to tell y’all about a new fashion charity, Dress for Success, who’s Manchester launch I was invited to last week…

So kittens, on the 10th of July Dress for Success Manchester opened its doors and the red ribbon was cut to signal the official arrival of the charity helping women back into work. Dress for Success offers trained stylists and a smart professional outfit free of charge to women on low incomes, as well as interview training from experts. This enables women to apply for a job with confidence. Worldwide the charity can boast 1 in 2 women get the job.  In Manchester the charity has already helped nearly 30 women in its first month of operation. Impressive or what?!

The launch saw supporters and socialites arrive in style and with bags of enthusiasm for the cause. Guests included Manchester’s finest and kindest from the corporate world, including Price Waterhouse Cooper and BNY Mellon, as well as some fantastic business owners and entrepreneurs, fashion bloggers, local press, and other influential individuals from the Manchester scene. 

Hosted in the charity’s boutique itself, usually a haven of calm within the Parsonage Chambers building, the space was filled with people welcomed in to get a feel of what the charity provides. Whether browsing the rails of donated clothing and talking outfits, or engaging with the Dress for Success team, all came away with a sense of why this support is so valuable.

Dress for Success Manchester’s founder and CEO Anna-Louise Gilhooley addressed guests at the launch. She told me,”I am proud of the positive impact we have already made on employment in our local community, helping women to thrive and build a career. I hope our community can now support Dress for Success Manchester so we can continue to give women the confidence to succeed.”

So kittens, if y’all think this is a good idea and want to do your bit (in a stylish way!) Dress For Success Manchester are now looking for any volunteers or businesses to get involved with them. Whether you can fundraise or donate any high quality work clothes, get in touch by calling them on 0333 444 0530. If you do, leave me a comment below and let me know! And don’t forget to follow me on Twitter, like my Facebook page and subscribe to my Youtube channel to keep up to date with all things fashion!