Curtin’s new freelancer has supported a sustainable clothing store.
On Tuesday, MP Kate Chaney visited the Lemon Tree store across from the Claremont neighborhood for some fashion advice.
The store is a joint venture between Anglicare WA and the town of Claremont, with funds raised by the store going to the Young Hearts program which offers counseling for children who are victims of domestic violence.
Anglicare retail director Natalie Burridge said the store officially opened last November after pop-up events proved popular.
Lemon Tree accepts used clothing from premium brands on consignment, with garments thoroughly inspected to ensure high quality.
Ms Burridge said sustainable fashion was “the movement of the future”.
“More and more people are making environmental choices, especially based on fashion,” she said.
Australians bought an average of 27kg of new clothes last year and threw away around 23kg.
“This business model aims to solve that problem by being environmentally conscious, but also offering quality products,” Ms Burridge said.
“Being in Claremont and directly across from the Claremont neighborhood, we realize we need to be fashionable and give people a reason to buy pre-loved rather than new.”
Ms Burridge said Ms Chaney – who was elected on a platform including greater action on climate change – was a supporter and a regular customer who visited to receive advice from their “style adviser”.
“We know our store aligns with its values of sustainability and fighting climate change,” she said.
Ms Chaney said buying second-hand was “much more sustainable” and she always found “interesting, high-quality stuff” from Lemon Tree that was affordable.
“I shopped here during the election campaign and again just before going to Parliament. I particularly like a Marcs silk shirt and an Anna Thomas suit that I bought here,” she said.
“I’ve always loved shopping – if you have the time, it’s so much more fun to find treasure. Knowing that I paid $10 for something gives me a special glow when I put it on in the morning.
Ms Chaney said she had recently gone two-and-a-half years without buying new clothes, but admitted to buying “a lot of new aqua” during the election campaign.
“If you’re not ready to stop shopping, second-hand is a great option. And donating your pre-loved clothes gives them another life, as long as they’re still in good condition,” she said.
