Fashion Project

Fashion Project was established in 2012 by Harvard Law School alumni Anna Palmer and Christine Rizk. The venture originated from Palmer's idea to leverage fashion as a tool for social good, sparked by learning that billions of dollars worth of clothing are donated annually in the United States. The co-founders aimed to create a more efficient marketplace for selling high-end donated goods to maximize charitable contributions.

The company operated an e-commerce platform focused on transforming donated designer apparel and accessories into financial support for a wide array of charitable causes. The business model centered on accepting gently used or new items from high-end brands, managing the logistics of collection, photography, and online sales, and then directing a significant portion of the proceeds to charities selected by the donors. Revenue was generated from the sale of these donated luxury items, with up to 55-60% of the sales proceeds benefiting thousands of partner non-profits. The platform served a dual clientele: individuals looking to donate valuable clothing for a tax receipt and to support causes they care about, and shoppers seeking designer items at a reduced price while contributing to charity.

Donors could send their high-end items to Fashion Project with shipping costs covered by the company. These items, from brands like Chanel, Gucci, and Prada, were then featured in the site's online boutique. The platform also facilitated partnerships with major retailers like Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus to expand its donation programs. A significant milestone was reached in January 2015 when the company secured $7.2 million in Series A funding to expand its workforce, facilities, and charity network. By July 2015, Fashion Project had raised approximately $700,000 for over 2,000 charitable organizations. After four years of operation, Palmer sold Fashion Project.

Keywords: online consignment, charitable giving, fashion philanthropy, e-commerce, clothing donation, designer resale, social enterprise, luxury apparel, non-profit fundraising, sustainable fashion, cause marketing, retail partnerships, second-hand designer, circular fashion, impact commerce, online boutique, charity partnerships, pre-owned luxury, fashion for good, style with substance