White House Black Market (WHBM) and Dress for Success Worldwide have united to form an international partnership and campaign to launch a charitable initiative to collect black pants for women in need. The campaign is a testament to White House Black Market and the WHBM customer’s commitment to making a difference in women’s lives. Starting August 1st through September 21st, 2014, the company will accept both new and gently worn black pants at all White House Black Market boutiques across the country and Canada to be donated to Dress for Success local affiliates.
Dress for Success was founded in 1997 and has expanded to more than 135 cities in 16 countries and is uniquely positioned as a global leader in women’s employment issues. Dress for Success SW Florida opened its doors in the year 2010 with the support of White House Black Market providing the first monetary donation of $10,000 and to this day WHBM supports the SW Florida affiliate with both monetary and in-kind donations.
“We were blessed in 2010 when White House Black Market Brand President Donna Noce accepted the position as Founding Board President,” said Barbara Dell, Founder and Executive Director of Dress for Success SW Florida. “This relationship has been an amazing gift for Dress for Success not just regionally, but now nationally as well.”
As a result of the partnership between White House Black Market and Dress for Success SW Florida, an international launch is taking place for the betterment of women throughout the US and Canada. There are several components including clothing drop off (black pants), parties and fundraisers taking place at all WHBM stores.
“In our lives and in our business, we are constantly touched by the individual power of women. That’s why we’re so excited about our international partnership with Dress for Success,” said Donna Noce, White House Black Market Brand President. “Our black pant donation program enables us to give back to women in the communities in which we live and work. Through everything, our passion has always been to make women feel beautiful.”
Due to the evolution of the partnership with WHBM and Dress for Success, the SW Florida affiliate will receive a $10,000 check for partnering WHBM and Dress for Success Worldwide.
“We would like to apply some of the funding toward upgrading our boutique and begin workshop sessions in retail training to fill a void in Lee and Collier counties. We are thrilled to say Hodges University is partnering with us and we are now in the planning stages so that we can make this a reality and launch it in January 2015″ said Barbara Dell.
White House Black Market will collect monetary donations for Dress for Success affiliates at the registers for the entire month of August at all WHBM locations in the US and Canada.
On August 21st, WHBM will donate 10% of net proceeds for the day to Dress for Success affiliates, up to $100,000. White House Black Market will also offer 50% off the highest priced item with a purchase of $150 or more (excluding leather and boots). From 5pm-9pm on that same day, Dress for Success SW Florida will also hold a fundraising shopping event that will take place at the four WHBM boutiques in the area; Bell Tower Shops, Coconut Point, Waterside Shops and downtown Naples. There will be refreshments, raffles and discounts at each store. The funds from the shopping events will also go to women find and maintain employment. They also help them achieve health and wellness, as well as self-defined financial and professional success. “The black pant is the great equalizer. No matter if you’re a seasoned CEO or just getting your career started, the right pair of black pants makes every woman look strong, confident and ready to take the workforce by storm,” said Joi Gordon, CEO of Dress for Success Worldwide. “We’re grateful to White House Black Market for helping us to provide even more of our women with that feeling as they progress along their professional paths.”
About Dress for Success:
Dress for Success is an international not-for-profit organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Since starting operations in 1997, Dress for Success has expanded to more than 135 cities in 16 countries. To date, Dress for Success has helped more than 775,000 women work towards self-sufficiency. Visit www.dressforsuccess.org to learn more.
About Dress for Success SW Florida:
Dress for Success SW Florida opened its doors in 2010 and serves both Lee and Collier counties. Dress for Success SW Florida provides professional attire and workshops for disadvantaged women who are unemployed, employed (job retention). Additionally, Dress for Success SW Florida offers entrepreneurial workshops for women who are interested in starting a business. The retail training classes to be held in 2015 will be held at the Dress for Success Employment Center in Fort Myers and Hodges University in Naples. For more information, contact Dress for Success SW Florida Suite 153, Fort Myers, FL 33907 in the Pinebrook Plaza, email swflorida@dressforsuccess.org, call 239-689-4992 or visit www.DressForSuccess.org/swflorida.
About White House Black Market:
White House Black Market offers fashionable and sophisticated clothing and accessory items, from everyday basics, to wear-to-work, to elegant fashion, primarily in black and white and related shades with seasonal color splashes.
White House Black Market currently operated more than 400 boutiques and over 50 outlets across the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. WHBM publishes a monthly catalog highlighting its latest fashions and connects with customers at www.whbm.com.
