Women for Women International Luxury Car Boot Sale: #SheInspiresMe

Originally scheduled to return to the Brewer Street car park in May, the #SheInspiresMe Car Boot Sale was postponed in light of the global pandemic and rules on social distancing in the UK. But it was announced in late April that the event will still go ahead, albeit in virtual form.

Taking to her Instagram page, founder Alex Eagle said: 'The last few weeks have made two things clear. Firstly, no matter who we are or where we live, every single one of us can have our lives turned upside down by an unexpected event. Secondly, it is community that will help us get through it.

'Right now we are paying most attention to our own communities but this does not mean we have forgotten those we have pledged to help. In the era of Covid-19, we realise our compassion and love is infinite, and the work of Women For Women International is more important than ever. Our mission is to help women survivors of war get back on their feet, and despite social isolation we need to keep finding ways to support them.'

The virtual event will take place on Saturday 16 May across Instagram, when the @womenforwomenuk Instagram account will share a schedule of sales that will bring the wardrobes of style influencers and celebrities and stock from fashion brands directly into your home.

Participants who are donating items and hosting sales include Alex Eagle, Jasmine Hemsley, fashion consultant Mimma Viglezio and fashion PR director Zoe Kuipers, while brands include Jimmy Choo, Monica Vinader, Kitri Studio and 111SKIN.

This is a time when many charities are facing a funding crisis due to the cancellation of fundraising events such as the London Marathon and the continued closure of charity shops, and many Londoners are looking for ways to make their purchases more philanthropic, so it's great news that this event can still go ahead.

A full catalogue of items is available ahead of the virtual sale, so sign up to the Women for Women International newsletter in order to receive a copy.

How will the virtual car boot sale work?

The Virtual Car Boot Sale will go live at 11am on Saturday 16 May, across the Instagram channels of the style influencers, celebrities and fashion brands taking part. Each sale will go live at allotted time slots throughout the day, selling donated pieces in aid of Women for Women International.

To shop, simply 'swipe up' on the seller's Instagram channel to be redirected to the designated Women for Women International shopping page, were you can bid for your chosen item.

Each seller will have pieces available to buy for a fixed time period, starting from the time the seller goes live on their Instagram channel.

The logisitics

Door-to-door, no-contact collection and couriered delivery of items will be arranged and paid for by Women for Women International. Buyers will be invoiced separately for all sales under £100, but logistics will be handled by Women for Women International.

All postage and behind-the-scenes customer service, payment and logistics will be handled by Women for Women International. 100% of the proceeds will go to Women for Women International’s work supporting women affected by war.

Image from the 2019 #SheInspiresMe Car Boot Sale