One million raised for Jewish House

A dress that no longer fits. A handbag sitting at the back of a wardrobe. A pair of shoes someone no longer wears.

In the past six years, thousands of items like these have found their way to Fashion Forward.

Together, they have helped raise $1 million – a major milestone achieved earlier this month – to support women and children facing crisis from all backgrounds, cultures and religions, through Jewish House.

Fashion Forward emerged from an idea by co-founder Sharon Aaron, while standing in front of her own wardrobe, to turn quality pre-loved fashion into practical support for women and children facing crisis.

In 2020, a volunteer-run shop was opened, where fashion, sustainability and community come together.

It is located at 1-7 Curlewis Street, Bondi Beach.

“What I love most about Fashion Forward is that we have created something powerful from what others may have considered worthless – unworn garments sitting quietly in closets, gathering dust – transformed into dignity, support and real change for women and children in crisis,” she said.

“It was simply supposed to be one meaningful, joyful project, but Fashion Forward has become something far greater.

“To have now raised $1 million is beyond anything we could have imagined.”

The model is simple. Quality designer clothing is donated by retailers, consignment stores and members of the public, sold at accessible prices, and the proceeds are directed to Jewish House.

Need, not background, determines who receives help.

In addition to reaching the $1 million fundraising mark, Fashion Forward has diverted 22,451 items from landfill.

All this is only possible because of the community that has grown around Fashion Forward – united by the belief that every woman and child deserves support.

“Fashion Forward isn’t built on fashion only. It’s built on people,” co-founder Nicole Katz said.

“It’s the volunteers who show up every week, the retailers, consignment stores, and clothing donors who open their wardrobes and warehouses, the generous supporters who donate everything from our rent to our printing, and the customers who choose to shop with purpose.”

Fashion Forward’s impact is also reflected in the way it operates.

Through donated premises, donated services and a dedicated volunteer workforce, operating expenses account for just 2.8 per cent of profit. The rest goes directly into supporting Jewish House’s frontline services.

Jewish House CEO Rabbi Mendel Kastel said, “Sharon and Nicole have done an incredible job taking an idea and turning it into something that has helped many women and children facing homelessness and housing insecurity.

“We are incredibly grateful for this initiative, for the vision behind it, and for the community that has helped turn that vision into a reality.”