Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER Published: 12 October 2007
All dressed up to start a new life
Eat your hearts out television fashion queens Trinny and Susannah. Islington’s own style gurus are about to launch a service for women who long to dress to impress. The Dress for Success charity has just been awarded a £300,000 Big Lottery grant to expand its mentoring and advice service for women who need help to get back into the jobs market.
Since it was established seven years ago, the charity, based in Shepperton Road, off New North Road, has helped thousands of women prepare for a new job.
The charity has a huge store of new and used clothes for women to wear when they go for a job interview.
Operations manager Eleanor Pryde said: “Women come to us often in a desperate state. Many have been out of a job for months or years and have lost their confidence. “We advise them on what to wear for their first all-important interview. We help them relax and think positively about themselves. “We get some wonderful clothes donated. Many are designer labels like Max Mara and Nicole Farhi.”
The £300,000 grant will go towards a new mentoring service for women who need regular one-to-one counselling.
One successful job applicant said of Dress for Success: “They gave me a suit, blouse, shoes, handbag and accessories. I left feeling valued, confident and good about myself and ready to attend interviews.”
The charity is looking for volunteers, who should contact Dress for Success, Eleanor Pryde, Unit 2, Shepperton Road, London N1 3DF or call 7288 1770.