Students step out in charity shop chic

YOU don’t need heaps of cash to have bags of style.

All you need to work a shoestring fashion budget is a good eye and a bit of patience, say workers at Rotherham’s newest charity shop.

To prove that point, staff at the shop, which is based at MyPlace on St Ann’s Road, staged their own fashion shoot for the Rotherham Advertiser.

They raided their vast stock of donated new and secondhand clothes and accessories, then pooled their skills to style up on-trend outfits.

MyPlace business administration assistant Charlotte Medlock (17), of Whiston, live events assistant Tom Haywood, and Jadranka Popikova (15), of Eastwood, who attends weekly youth sessions at MyPlace, got in the frame as models.

Communities project co-ordinator Nicola Harding stepped in with her camera.

“Our shoot proves that anyone who loves fashion can have dash without the cash if they’re prepared to spend time hunting through the rails,” said Denise Gracia, retail consultant for YMCA White Rose, the charitable organisation which works with children, young people and families in South and West Yorkshire.

“We did hippy chic on the cheap and put together top-to-toe date night outfits for as little as £9 for him and £12.50 for her.

“We had so much to choose from. Our new charity shop is packed with brilliant bargains and there are labels galore on our rails.

“We opened our doors last month and thanks to the generosity of the public, we’ve had good-as-new designer clothes like Calvin Klein on our hangers, plus classic secondhand and high street.

“There are also some unique vintage pieces dating back to the 50s.

“Our best vintage finds include a pair of men’s brogues from Dolcis from the 70s which have walked right back into fashion, and a 60s paisley-print shirt dress.”

The charity shop is on the ground floor of the community hub.

It raises money for the YMCA’s work and provides work and training opportunities for young people.

Up to three retail apprenticeships are being created along with a work experience programme.

The shop is open from 9am to 4.30pm on weekdays, and is appealing for more donations of clothing, toys, bric-a-brac and household items.

Goods can be taken to MyPlace or to YMCA White Rose’s other charity shops on St John’s Green in Kimberworth and on Mexborough High Street.