AN event that saw a former editor of Vogue share insights into her 25-year stint editing the fashion magazine has raised £6,000 for charity.
Smart Works Reading organised An Evening with Alexandra Sulman at Ascot Racecourse, with more than 100 women attending.
The charity helps women with finding employment, by offering free job interview coaching and dressing service.
The event was hosted by Ginnie Chadwyck-Healey, a Smart Works Reading Ambassador.
During the event, Ms Shulman said he was star-struck when she met the late Diana, Princess of Wales and enjoyed Vogue’s centenary exhibition held at the National Portrait Gallery.
She also read extracts from her book, Clothes…and other things that matter, Shulman talked about how clothes can act as armour to get people through difficult times.
“I so believe that clothes are your superpower. You can project whatever you want to project through your clothes” she told the audience.
Ms Chadwyck-Healey said: “Smart Works Reading is a place that helps so many women pursue their goals. It allows women to relish a newfound freedom and to enjoy an untapped autonomy that they gain as they set off on a new job path.
“It’s a volunteer-led service that rewards those that step out of their comfort zone and ask for help. Something that not many of us are good at.
“And in doing so they really do succeed and 72% of clients secure work two months after a Smart Works consultation.”
And Ms Shulman said: “I’ve always had a slight connection to Smart Works and it really appeals to me because I really understand what it aims to do and succeeds in doing. It’s wonderful to see such a simple idea that can make so much difference.
“It is a fantastic charity.”
Chair of Smart Works Reading Helen Francis was delighted with the event and wanted to thank everyone for donating their time and services to help raise essential money for the charity.
“The evening was an enormous success, and we were thrilled to have such an influential name in fashion supporting us,” she said.
“The money we raised will go towards funding our centre in Reading from which we run our transformational job interview and coaching service, helping women land a job and gain financial independence.”
Guests at the event were also treated to cocktails and canapes, courtesy of the event sponsors Slingsby Gin and Sodexo Live.
