Kew circular fashion show raises over £3,000

Mary’s Living & Giving Shop in Kew for Save the Children and the Rotary Club of Kew Gardens hosted a community celebration of circular and sustainable fashion to raise money for charity.

On Wednesday 14 May, over 130 guests attended a fashion extravaganza at St Luke’s Church in Kew. It featured a curated selection of pre-loved garments donated to Mary’s Living & Giving Shop in Kew, and was the shop’s first-ever fashion show,

The event was made possible by the dedication of over 40 volunteers, whose enthusiasm and community spirit underscored the strong sense of togetherness in Kew.

Local residents took to the runway, modelling outfits styled around a variety of creative themes, including Highlands & Islands with upcycled tartan and tweed, Clothes that Work at Work, Colour Blocking, Salute to Summer, Festival Funk, and Tulle & Tuxedo.

The show highlighted the diversity and style potential of second-hand fashion available at the shop. Following the catwalk, attendees had the opportunity to purchase looks from the runway, further contributing to the fundraising effort. All proceeds will go towards helping children across the UK and globe have a healthy, happy and safe childhood.

Every donation makes a difference. You can support children’s futures by donating your pre-loved treasures to your local Mary’s Living & Giving Shop in Kew. Or, you can find the location of your nearest shop.

What’s more, this charity event is well-timed, coinciding with the launch of the London Textiles Action Plan, co-authored by the Council, which aims to accelerate London’s fashion industry’s transition to a zero-waste, low-carbon circular economy. The event echoes the action plan’s broader ambitions—such as making repair more accessible, embedding sustainability education in schools, and improving textile collection rates across the city. 

More ways to give your items a second life

With everyone’s involvement, the community can move a step closer to becoming zero-waste and keep good items in use for longer. If you have items you no longer need or want, they can be repaired, reused, or shared to benefit the community and reduce waste:

• Twickenham Repair Café - Fix broken household items with support from friendly volunteers on the third Saturday of every month
• Kew the transition repair and share events - Subscribe to the group newsletter for updates on regular ‘Repair and Share’ events throughout the year

You can find out more about community reuse and recycle schemes.