Fashion lovers, bargain hunters, and conscious consumers can mark their calendars for Fall into Something New to You – a sale of high-end, pre-loved women’s clothing and accessories – hosted by the Newton-based nonprofit ThreadED: Fashion for a Future. The event takes place September 18 (4PM-7PM) and September 19 and 20 (10AM–1PM) on the second floor of 797 Washington Street (above Che! Empanada).
Shoppers will find a curated collection of designer labels and accessories at appealing prices, with all proceeds benefiting uAspire, a Boston nonprofit helping underserved local college students access and afford higher education. Among the designers featured are Jil Sander, Avant Toi, Lainey Keogh, and Issey Miyake.
For those unable to attend, private appointments and group shopping parties can be arranged by emailing [email protected].
Founded in 2014, ThreadED is the brainchild and labor-of-love of Gail Harris and Laurel Sgan, who aim for their sales to be not just shopping events but also lively social gatherings where loyal customers meet friends, swap style advice, and enjoy the festive atmosphere. They find group shopping parties to be especially fun.
The pair met while earning their MBAs at Boston University. Brainstorming, they saw a gap between traditional consignment shops and large donation centers like the Salvation Army – and an opportunity to both give back to the community and promote responsible reuse of clothing. ThreadED relies entirely on donations, most of which are received through word-of-mouth. In the early years, the business took over the basement of Sgan’s home in Newton. Today, ThreadED operates from its current space upstairs at 797 Washington Street, donated by Mark Development, LLC.
Over the years, Harris and Sgan have seen remarkable pieces come through: a yellow Oscar de la Renta gown with matching coat, an avant-garde Yohji Yamamoto jacket featuring stuffed glove-like hands laced into the back, and men’s ski suits that recalled the 1970s James Bond. The upcoming sale features a German layette that is straight out of Downton Abbey.
The majority of ThreadED’s online sales are through eBay, whose Charity program for non-profits offers reduced fees. ThreadED was a finalist for an eBay Shine Award for Small Business that recognizes the most inspiring sellers on the platform. Their eBay store can be found at ebay.com/str/fashionforafuture.
ThreadED will donate all proceeds from their upcoming sale to uAspire’s Last Dollar Scholarship program. Founded in Boston in 1985, and now serving students in New York City and California as well, uAspire’s mission is to advance economic mobility for underrepresented students by increasing access to financial aid and postsecondary opportunities. Their Last Dollar Scholarship program helps close the critical gap between what a student’s financial aid package covers and the actual cost of attending college. Supplementary aid of $1,000–$2,000 is awarded each semester as needed – and can make the difference between a student continuing a college education and having to leave school. By the end of this year, ThreadED expects to have contributed to uAspire nearly $250,000 over the past decade.
Other ThreadED recipients have included the Alray Scholars Program. Founded by Neil Swidey – author, director of Brandeis University’s journalism program, and editor-at-large of the Boston Globe Magazine – the Alray Scholars Program gives promising Boston students a second chance at college through scholarships, mentoring, and career services. Additionally, ThreadED has made a large donation of clothing to UML Strive at UMASS Lowell to provide students with professional outfits for interviewing and internships.
Harris and Sgan are very proud of ThreadED’s paid internship program and the many young people it has helped gain valuable hands-on experience in business, marketing, and operations. They also note that ThreadED benefited from their interns’ technical savvy. ThreadED’s pre-Covid internship program received support from Village Bank and the City of Newton’s internship program.
ThreadED: Fashion for a Future proves that style and social impact can go hand-in-hand, with every purchase contributing to a student’s future.
