We explore the world of handpicked pre-loved clothing at White Rose Recycled Fashion on Albion Street in Leeds City Centre.
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00:00My name's Jessica Bradshaw. I'm Regional Visual Merchandiser for White Rose.
00:05It was founded in 2009 by some university students from Nottingham Trent.
00:11The idea is a charity shop but with a difference.
00:15So, as you can see, everything and how the stores are designed, it's very unique.
00:20Everything's really thought out and, yeah, we sell some amazing stock.
00:27From designer pieces to high street brands, Zara, Urban Outfitters, to North Face, Carhartt, Prada even.
00:36We get some incredible stuff in.
00:38As a charity store, we rely on generous donations.
00:41That's donation banks we have around the country but also donations straight into the store.
00:46We're very grateful of anything people can bring in.
00:48Any clothing, whether it's men's, women's or children's accessories, shoes, anything like that.
00:54That'll get grouped up, organised here in our donation centre and then pop straight onto the shop floor.
01:02We opened on the 26th of July and the response so far has been incredible.
01:07People really, really loving what we're about, what we do.
01:11Obviously, the charity we support, Aegis Trust, who help people who've been affected by genocide around the world.
01:18It's not only shopping sustainable but it's that added cause of helping people.
01:25You can see from the size of this store that there is a lot of second-hand clothing.
01:29With fast fashion, high street stores, people have a lot of clothes.
01:33There's a lot of things in the back of people's wardrobes that they might not get back round to.
01:38We're a lovely home for that, to find someone who can enjoy it.
01:42There is, I'm always surprised, even things that I think surely no one would be interested in that.
01:48There's something for everyone. Everything will find someone in these stores.
01:53In terms of reducing our fashion waste as well, we're going to have an upcycling centre upstairs.
01:58So in terms of small fixes, making sure things are back ready for the public, back ready for people to enjoy them.
02:06That's a big part of White Rose's personality as well.
02:10I think people are starting to notice the quality of stock that can be given and donated.
02:16Some of the things we sell here are new with tags, never been worn.
02:21It just shows how people have this throwaway mentality now with fast fashion.
02:26If you can buy something that's in the shops now currently but for a fraction of the price, brand new in here, I think people are warming to that idea.
02:35Working with volunteers is probably one of my favourite and one of the proudest parts of the job for me.
02:39We've had volunteers who come in with little experience, not very much confidence,
02:45and they get a chance to work in a successful shop where we've got high standards
02:51but we're still trying to create that friendly, nice environment where they can learn from whatever experience they're at currently.