FANSHAWE COLLEGE
Fanshawe partners with Goodwill on pop-up shop fundraiser to promote sustainability and overcome the barriers associated with mental health

Second-year students in Fanshawe's Fashion Marketing and Management Program will partner with Goodwill Industries to host The Story, a sustainable pop-up shopping event on Thursday, February 15. The event features hand-selected and restyled gently used clothing and accessories.

The pop-up event will be held at the Canada Life Village Square in Innovation Village. Students have hand-selected gently used clothing and have up-cycled them into amazing pieces. The collection of secondhand fashion is intended to spark conversation.

The Fashion Marketing and Management program and Goodwill Industries have partnered on this initiative for the past 15 years. The experience provides valuable hands-on learning experience in organizing and promoting an event and encouraging consumers to consider more sustainable second-hand fashion. This year's students have spent the fall term carefully selecting and restyling garments donated by Goodwill, organized photo-shoots, and marketing through social media in preparation for the event.

The Story is more than just an event; it's a testament to the power of storytelling, community, and the impact we can have on mental health awareness and sustainability," says Jesica Manalo, the social media coordinator for the event. Proceeds from The Story will go towards a scholarship for students at Fanshawe.

"This continues to be a beneficial collaboration and positive learning experience for the students as well as for many of the team members here at Goodwill," says Tracy Hilts, the regional manager of Goodwill Industries. "The students have done a terrific job curating a catalogue of restyled and vintage clothing and creating a community experience."

"Retail is the third largest employer in Ontario. The Story pop-up shop has been a key learning experience for our Fashion Marketing and Management students for several years led by Professor Deb Trotechaud. The students have gained experience developing an online pop-up in December and have prepared for the in-person event on February 15. It is instrumental as the students learn about a changing retail industry," says Dana Morningstar, associate dean of the School of Design. "Students gain in-demand skills in the pop-up store event and create a plan for promoting their products on various social media platforms."

WHAT: The Story sustainable pop-up shop event

WHEN: Thursday, February 15, 7 to 10 p.m.

WHERE: Canada Life Village Square, Innovation Village (see campus map)