Oxfam choose Manchester social enterprise for new 'boutique' stores

An ethical Manchester business has won a major contract to exclusively supply Oxfam’s nationwide new boutique stores with an exciting range of recycled designer fashion.

Junkshop on Dale Street in Manchester’s trendy Northern Quarter will be supplying their ‘Jumble’ range of women’s clothing to Oxfam boutiques from next year.

The contract is a major boost for Junk Shop, which first began working with Oxfam two years ago, when it was approached by the charity to supply recycled clothing for its new boutique stores which were opening in London.

The stylish ‘Jumble’ collection re-crafts second-hand clothing with ethically-produced material such as bamboo and organic cotton, to create completely new trend-setting garments.

The eye-catching and chic ‘Jumble’ range has already been a big hit with both the environmentally-aware and the fashion-conscious.

Junk Shop will be supplying a range of more than 600 items of sustainable clothing, including skirts, dresses and tops, to Oxfam’s three original boutique stores in London, as well as further stores around the country due to open next year.

They have all been designed by Junk Shop’s talented fashion designer Charlotte Keyworth and manufactured by Junk Shops creative team at Islington Mill in Salford.

Junk Shop Manager Dan Clark said: “More than 90 per cent of our Jumble range has been snapped up by environmentally-friendly shoppers at the Oxfam boutiques in London. We are looking forward to our 3rd year of working with Oxfam and our label is now sold in as far away places as Japan and Australia”.

“Now they have placed their biggest ever order with us for even more. It’s great news for a young social enterprise like us, which re-invests our profits back into the community and to help the environment. We will now be the only clothing label in Oxfam’s sustainable boutique stores, which they are continuing to roll out all over the country.

“Manchester’s Junk Shop is showing that we can create unique, inspirational fashion from recycled clothing, without compromising either on top quality or our environmental credentials. And judging by the success we have had with Oxfam so far, there is a huge demand for this kind of vintage-style, extremely individualistic fashion-wear.”

Charlotte Keyworth added: “Each garment is fashioned to a specific style using different fabrics, which means that every single item is unique. But the garments are also popular because they are ethically-based – buying one means that shoppers can do their bit for the environment. I’m hopefully inspiring young designers to use sustainable materials and I want Manchester to be at the forefront of sustainable fashion design”.

The Oxfam boutiques have been created with the help of fashion guru Jane Shepherdson, and are setting a new benchmark for sustainable fashion. They provide shoppers with unique style, beautiful one-off clothes, and the assurance that every item will raise money to fight poverty around the world.

For further information, please contact matthew@soundcommunication.org.uk or call 07807 033 438.