The Barking Mad Dress Sale
Many of us dream about buying that designer dress in London, Paris or Milan, only to realise that we can’t afford it. In my case I have too many unworn clothes bulging in the wardrobe as it is, with endless frocks I’ve bought from M+S or Next with labels still attached.
I’ve got together with my very good friend Sarah Milne in organising ‘The Barking Mad Dress Sale’ after realising we had too many unworn clothes that no longer fitted. I wanted to do something with these lovely clothes, and so many other friends have the same issue where they don’t just want to give their clothes away, and haven’t the time to sell them on an auction website. We were thinking about doing a charity event and wanted to combine the two.
The idea came to fruition whilst we were stranded on a train returning from the Country Living Fair in Glasgow before Christmas. The seed was sown over a few glasses of wine with endless sketches and notes, and we soon started spreading the word amongst friends and family.
We are delighted at the response from local businesses, family and friends willing to help. Already we have some great sponsors including Country Living Magazine, Leonards Interiors, Enotita, Sly Dress Agency and Entsorga Italia. We love our nostalgic flyer by Janene Spencer, a busy London Graphic Designer who donated her time for our charity event (I was so impressed with her work that I have now hired her for future design projects).
One of the main sponsors is Belinda Sly from the Sly Dress Agency in Stamford, who will be helping with the operation to ensure the clothes are pre loved perfect and priced accordingly.
Having gift wrapped for royalty and luxury stores throughout Europe, I will be on hand to ensure each item is wrapped in tissue and presented in a paper bag with ribbon so you get that boutique experience. I will also have a range of ribbons and accessories for sale at the event.
Country Living Magazine have been extremely generous by donating 200 gala tickets for our shopping event. Every paying customer will receive a free ticket worth £16.50* which includes entry to the Spring Fair gala evening in London on 20th March, and it’s the perfect chance to do some shopping amongst the 300 handpicked exhibitors with complimentary wine. You will also find our haberdashery stand packed with ribbons and trimmings at this brilliant show.
Customers will also be able to indulge in tea and home-made cakes presented on pretty china cake stands by Elena Alice.
There will also be cloudy lemonade presented in jars with paper straws and glasses of wine available. Tables will be adorned with jugs of freshly cut flowers and linen.
The raffle is gathering speed and we have been donated a gift voucher by Leonards Interiors who have just opened their new shop in Bourne, a prize from Decorative Country Living and Entsorga Italia are donating an Italian Hamper and many other prizes will be up for grabs (please let us know if you would like to donate something).
The event will be held at a stylish hall in the rural village of Braceborough, which is located between Bourne and Stamford. The intimate stone building will be transformed with help from interior stylists and will be adorned with bunting and pom-poms, with jugs of fresh flowers scattered on the tables.
TV Presenter Catherine Gee will be opening the sale and the charity event will be taking place on Thursday 7th March from 3.30-7.30pm, with timings to suit those who work or have children. Admission is free with ample car parking throughout the village. The postcode is PE9 4NT
We are now looking for good quality ladies clothes and accessories to be donated for this event (they don’t have to be designer). If you drop any clothes off at our Haberdashery Closet in Bracebridge Heath (LN4 2TA), we will reward you with a complimentary roll of ribbon from the shop!
Half of my own wardrobe is going to be cleared out including M+S Per Una, Banana Republic, Boden and Next. Already we have had some designer labels, shoes and bags handed in including Escada, LK Bennett, Dior and Prada.
If you’re having a wardrobe Spring Clean, we will gladly take them off you and pop them in to our ladies pre loved sale … (sadly we can’t accept underwear, hosiery, children’s or menswear). If you can spare any hangers we would be extremely grateful.
Current drop off points include Lincs, Cambs, Wilts, Bucks and London:
The Haberdashery Closet at Jane Means (Bracebridge Heath, Lincoln) 01522 522 544
3 counties Rescue (Bourne) 01778 440318
Sly dress Agency (Stamford) 01780 482870
Enotita (Peterborough) 0845 2699 953
Leonards Interiors (Bourne) 01476 585101
Sarah Milne (Braceborough near Stamford) 07915 419836
Linda Brookes (Ryhall near Stamford) 01780 238927
Jane Means (London) 01522 522 544
Caroline McFarlane (Marlow) 07503 165737
David Hooper (Westbury, Wilts) 07791 277623
Sarah and I are keen animal lovers and all proceeds will be in aid of 3 Counties Rescue in Bourne, who work endlessly to accept, care for, and find homes for the unwanted, lost and stray cats and dogs.
This will be a luxurious shopping event where you will be able to buy a pre loved piece for as little as £2.50 and enjoy tea and homemade cakes in pretty surroundings in rural Lincolnshire.
If you would like any leaflets for your school, club or village notice board, or would like a few flyers to give out, please give us a call on 01522 522544 (We should receive our leaflets in early February).
We would love you to spread the word and you can follow developments on our Facebook Page and via Twitter #barkmad
On a final note if you or anyone can help with the last few jobs on our ‘to do list’ that would be great. We need
- Extra Drop Off Locations
- Good quality Ladies clothes, shoes, bags, hats and accessories to sell
- Spare coat hangers
- Mannequins and Clothes Rails (loan)
- Raffle prizes
- General word of mouth
- Leaflet distribution in the local area
Hope you can make it to our event!
Jane x
Sponsorship Artwork Image kindly supplied by LMRT Design
* One Country Living gala ticket per person with a minimum spend of £10. Limited tickets available
