This week, the charity shop Choose Love has reopened its doors on Carnaby Street in London for its annual fundraising campaign. Open from November 4, every sale made in this unique retail space will support refugees during the winter. This year, the shop returns as an ethical alternative to the consumerism of the holiday season. The initiative was launched eight years ago by a group of friends; Choose Love now operates as a global humanitarian entity. Since the project's inception, the number of displaced people worldwide has doubled, rising from 60 million to an estimated 122 million by 2025. The two-level shop space is designed to reflect the products that Choose Love urgently needs to purchase equipment and supplies for refugees and displaced persons. Items offered include warm food, cold-weather protective clothing, and emergency response packs. The shop also offers a wide range of Choose Love merchandise, including t-shirts, hoodies, children's overalls, and tote bags. On the upper floor, the 'Choose Gifts' department will relaunch on December 1, featuring new and pre-owned luxury fashion and cosmetic items at reduced prices. Products in the luxury section will be selected by celebrity stylists, including Aimee Croysdill, Holly Eva White, and Felicity Kay. The department benefits from the support of over 100 brands, including Miu Miu, Prada, Simone Rocha, and Loewe. [1]
Emma Stevenson, interim CEO of Choose Love, stated: “We are delighted to bring the Choose Love pop-up shops back to Carnaby Street. It is a place full of joy, especially during Christmas. This is the last charity shop where every purchase makes a real difference in the lives of refugees and displaced people around the world.” She added that, in times characterized by uncertainty, unity, compassion, and action are more important than ever. Dawn O’Porter, co-founder of the organization, also expressed her enthusiasm for the resumption of activities: “We’ve brought back the Choose Love pop-up shop this year and I couldn’t be happier! It feels like now, more than ever, we need to come together and choose love. The world may seem dark, but the shops are a place where you can surround yourself with people who share your values and do something truly meaningful for others. Every purchase helps support refugees and displaced persons, and I can’t wait to return behind the counters and be part of this magic.” [1]
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