Smart Works at The Good Clothes Show
Smart Works Birmingham
We are a female employment charity that dresses and coaches women for interview and job success.
Smart Works Birmingham were delighted to be the official charity partner for The Good Clothes Show at Birmingham NEC. The show offered shopping and styling alongside new fashion trends like swapping and customising. Attendees could meet industry celebs and experts and hear what they have to say about the ever-changing landscape of fashion.
At Smart Works we contribute to the sustainable fashion landscape as all the clothing we use for our client’s wardrobe and at our fashion sales have been donated to us. We are fortunate to have brands such as Marks & Spencer’s, Aligne, Hush and Burberry donate to us. We also accept clothing donations from the public, many corporate organisations organise clothing collections in their offices and sort through them to select the very best pieces for our clients.
At The Good Clothes Show we were able to raise awareness of what we do, our Chairwoman Alison Armstrong was interviewed on the main stage on Friday by Author and Podcaster Clare Press and on Sunday Smart Works CEO Tiffanie Darke took to the stage with Smart Works Birmingham client champion Steffanie.
Tiffanie Darke is a fashion activist, editor, writer and retailer. She is the is the author of What to Wear and Why: Your Guilt Free Guide to Sustainable Fashion, co-founder of Ibiza’s luxury sustainability fashion boutique AGORA, and a regular contributor to the Financial Times How to Spend It magazine, Vogue, The Guardian and The Sunday Times. She launched and ran the Rule of Five campaign, a quest to discover if we can all live on – and enjoy – just five new fashion items a year.
We were all super proud of Steffanie as she joined Tiffanie on stage to share her story.
“I looked at myself in the mirror, wearing this smart skirt and shirt and wearing heels and a bag and for the first time and I remember thinking that I looked good. I actually thought I looked the part, and I felt professional. I was even happy to have my photo taken in my outfit. That was such a big deal for me. I have never liked looking at myself in the mirror and I have always been self-critical, but when I was at Smart Works I felt happy with how I looked.”
“The big thing about the coaching session is that I came out with a completely different mindset. I started believing in myself and realising what I was capable of. I came out of that session, and I just knew I could do that job”
The audience really connected with Stephanie’s story, and we had lots of people asking how they could support the charity afterwards. We are incredibly appreciative to all our client champions, its inspiring to see how their confidence grows day by day. The Smart Works service not only provides the support to succeed at interview but is the catalyst for our clients to develop and grow and be whatever they choose to be.
Coming Up
Smart Works Fashion Sale, Body Confidence & Networking
Smart Works Birmingham are delighted to invite you to the 'Smart Works Fashion Sale, Body Confidence & Networking event at the superb x+y club, Eighteen.
Venue & Times
The event will be held on the 18th floor of the 103 building on Colmore Row in the membership lounge of x+why.
12pm until 4pm, the perfect occasion to meet and network in an exclusive location. Enjoy the impressive panoramic view of the city from the outdoor terrace. Food will be available from the bar menu, a selection of small plates and light lunch options.
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What to expect
We will have designer, vintage and other clothing at heavily discounted prices for sale. With a change of season drawing in we want our stock to fly of the rails at this event, there will be many bargains to be had!
Adrianne Carter is a top expert in communication, specialising in understanding emotions and behaviour. She collaborates with brands and businesses to help them unlock the full potential of their people.
Adrianne will deliver a talk that will enable you to harness the power of facial expressions and body language, enhancing your ability to communicate effectively, build stronger relationships, and inspire confidence in both personal and professional settings. By understanding the subtleties of non-verbal cues, you’ll gain insights into reading others more accurately and expressing yourself more clearly, making you more persuasive and approachable in all interactions.
Key Takeaways:
1. Learn to decode facial expressions to better understand the emotions and intentions of those around you.
2. Master the art of using your own body language to convey confidence, authority, and warmth.
3. Discover techniques to enhance your presence and influence in both personal and professional settings.
Ticket Price - £15
This includes a welcome drink, access to the fashion sale and the x+y club, a 30 minute expert talk about body confidence, and an opportunity to network and relax amongst like minded women. Use the link below to book your tickets:
For further information please contact Lilly Clements on 07498 214 594 or lilly.clements@smartworks.org.uk