Marks & Spencer opening first ‘Shwop Shop’

Retailer Marks & Spencer is opening a two-day pop-up charity shop within its Marble Arch store as it teams up with Oxfam as part of its ‘Shwopping’ initiative. Running from January 24 to 25, the pop-up will feature designer bargains

donated by a host of celebrities including Alexa Chung, Daisy Lowe, Jo Wood and fashion designer Zandra Rhodes, as well as the best items ‘shwopped’ at Marks & Spencer stores from the public.

There will also be a chance for shoppers to own a piece of fashion history as the retailer is offering a unique collection of coveted vintage items charting the story of Marks & Spencer from the launch of its first-ever St. Michael collection in 1928 to the present day.

As well as featuring celebrity donated items the store will also be staffed by a number of famous faces including the scheme’s celebrity face, Joanna Lumley.

Talking about the initiative, Lumley said: “By opening your hearts, minds and your wardrobe and going shwopping, you can not only bag an outfit worn on the red carpet or to a glitzy awards evening, but help the environment too. Fashion with a conscience, it is perfect isn’t it?

“By shwopping all we want you to do is give your unwanted items stuffed in the back of your wardrobe a future. Simply bring an old item back every time you buy a new outfit, shwop and shop! Come to the Shwop Shop, shwop and shop and leave with a smile – the world will then feel a better place!”

Additional celebrities donating items ranging from evening dresses to red carpet frocks and designer denims include models Erin O’Connor and Tali Lennox, TV presenter Caroline Flack, Downton Abbey star Joanne Froggatt, singer Ellie Goulding, Radio 1 star Gemma Cairney and Style Bubble blogger Susie Lau.

All money raised by the shop will be used to support Oxfam’s projects around the world working to alleviate poverty.