Emma Dodds – Senior Account Executive

Charity shops hold a lot of fond memories for me. They are places of connection and community. Treasure troves of ‘stuff’ that has been loved, lost, and shared. Charity shops collate human histories – through the items they sell, the volunteers who dedicate their time, and the causes they serve.

Growing up, my mum would often take me up our local high street, seeing us spend whole afternoons rifling through hangers and bargain bins. It became our thing – and if I ever admired an item but didn’t buy it, my mum would go back and put it away – for the big reveal on Christmas day. A stocking compiled of love, care and new life. My mum gave knowingly, and no price tag can compare to that.

There’s something beautiful about not knowing the full story of your clothes or trinkets but seeing that they were looked after and gifted to be loved again. So, next time you pass a charity shop, have a delve. You might just strike gold – or have fun looking.

Michael McCourt – Planning Director

I believe the most purposeful brands should not only boycott Black Friday (and the outmoded model of consumerism it represents) but should use it as an opportunity to prove their purpose and have a positive impact on people and the planet.

Consider REI, an outdoor retailer operating in the USA, who close their stores, continue to pay more than 15,000 employees, and encourages them to skip the shopping lines and #OptOutside instead. Closer to home on the coast of Cornwall, Finisterre replaces “Black Friday” discounts with “Blue Friday” donations that help people connect with the ocean and protect it for future generations.

These brave brands prove that opting out of short-termism can lead to long-term benefits, a fact many businesses would do well to remember when the sale bells ring.

Kate Sloan – Planning Director

This Black Friday, I’ll be thinking about how to spend my money in a way that minimises my impact on the environment and choosing brands that aim to make a positive impact on the planet.

Chris Baker, in his recently published book ‘Obsolete: How change brands are changing the world’ argues that changing how we spend our money has more potential to change the world than almost anything else we can do. Consumer spending accounts for 60% of GDP across the world and if we moved just 1% of that spending to brands making a positive impact on the planet, this would amount to $700 billion each year.

One change brand I’ll continue to support this Black Friday is ‘Who Gives a Crap’. The toilet paper brand not only donates 50% of their profits to help build toilets and improve sanitation in the developing world, but their packaging is beautiful and looks great on display in the bathroom.

Jamie Carroll – Integrated Designer

Vinted has become a part-time lifestyle of mine. I’ve found myself recently going about my day and realising, ‘Oh, everything I’m wearing today has been owned by another person before me’ (underwear excluded). I get caught up in a cycle of hunting a niche pair of jeans, finding them, and then selling the ones I currently have. I deem this an unhealthy yet exhilarating relationship with the app. Then every time I hit gold; I notice how distanced I’ve become from even thinking about visiting the usual first-time-wear fashion ‘hot spots’.

Charity shopping is an obvious but fading art in clothes hunting. Partly because of instant fashion fix apps but also due to the common struggle to be patient. Most of the time, when I walk in, I don’t even know what I’m looking for. I’ll become Anna Wintour for 2 minutes, skimming through a bunch of tops and shirts, and then leave. Many times, it’s a fail. But sometimes it’s a win, and when it is, I get thinking about how to repurpose it. If it’s an oversized t-shirt, then I might cut the bottom off for a better fit. If there is a pair of worn trainers, sometimes a throw in the wash and new laces can give them new life. Shoelaces on either side of the waist of jeans are also a great belt for when the waist is too big. My sustainable fashion fundamentals are patience and an open mind!