Burberry expands Smart Works partnership for International Women’s Day

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Mar 8, 2019

Burberry has partnered with UK charity Smart Works to support seven women in their journey back into employment as part of an International Women’s Day initiative.

Burberry invited seven of the charity’s clients to a dressing session at its London flagship showroom, where they received a one-to-one styling session with members of the luxury house’s private clients team and a capsule workwear wardrobe.

The British brand has been working with Smart Works since 2013, donating Burberry product for women in need who have been unemployed on a long term basis. Half of Smart Works’ clients are from an ethnic minority and 40% are single mothers. The clothes are used to build clients’ confidence before a job interview, and to create a capsule working wardrobe that will see them through until their first pay cheque.

Female photographer Esther Theaker captured the seven women dressed by Burberry in a series of images released on International Women’s Day.

Judy Collinson, chief merchandising officer, Burberry said: “We are passionate about our longstanding partnership with Smart Works and the significant impact it has on women’s work lives. We both believe in the transformative power of clothes and Smart Works empowers women by giving them the tools and confidence to succeed. Our partnership also contributes towards our efforts to revalue surplus stock, whilst supporting the communities around us. Such a positive outcome is something we can all celebrate.”

The company’s partnership with Smart Works has been expanded following Burberry’s announcement last year that it would find new ways to deal with unsold goods after it emerged it had burned £28.6m of unsold clothes and perfume in 2017.

Smart Works has recently announced the Duchess of Sussex a its royal patron.