There's something about Mary
While the expert was seen transforming charity shops into chic outlets for designer cast-offs in her latest TV series, Mary, Queen Of Charity Shops, Cotswold Care Hospice has been using professional stylists, make-up artists and photographers to show their clothes off at their best.
"We want people to realise that the standard of clothing we have is second to none," said Joe Feeley, retail manager. "So we took our best pieces, teamed up with a team of professionals and did a fashion shoot at one of the best hotels in the county.
"We carefully sort through everything we are given. If it isn't good enough to sell then we can sell it for rags. We are doing the customer and the charity a disservice if we try to sell poor quality goods," he said.
The charity challenged image consultant Kate Parker to put together outfits in the hottest summer colours with clothes found in its nine charity shops, including outlets in Cheltenham, Stroud and Cirencester.
Sticking to dazzling yellow, deep purple, sizzling pink and vivid orange, Kate came up with some great looks – and not one piece of clothing cost more than £10.
Make-up artist Kate Kelvin, from Tetbury, and hair stylist Ashley Williams, from Dursley's Peter Hickman Salon, gave four nursery nurses from Imagine Co-operative Childcare in Cam a makeover.
The four women were whisked away to the Cotswolds 88 Hotel in Painswick for a fashion shoot with photographer Simon Walden.
"Charity shops, like those run by the Cotswold Care Hospice, can be a fashion goldmine," said Kate Parker, personal stylist, based in Winchcombe. "They can provide the opportunity for people to afford pieces that otherwise would be out of their reach.
"It is also a great way to create an individual look on a budget with the added bonus that what you pay goes to charity."
The charity, based in Minchinhampton, helps more than 400 people a year with life-limiting illnesses and their families. All of its services are provided free of charge. Its nine shops generate more than a third of the money needed to run the charity. The charity is appealing for more donations of shoes and clothes. A bin bag full of clothes could be worth £50 to the charity. For more information visit www.cotswoldcare.org.uk
Only donate things you truly believe have re-sale value. This doesn't include things you paid only a few pounds for when new. Clean, quality items in good condition are always welcome.
Take time to really dig around for fantastic buys. Appreciate that charity shops don't have the ability to merchandise stock in the way that high street stores do.
Often charity stores located near up-market residential locations can yield some great "designer" finds.
If you find a quality item of clothing that might look a little "dated" consider how it might be tweaked, or re-modelled, to become perfect for you.
Sometimes it is worth purchasing a piece purely for its amazing buttons, or lace trim. You can then use these to customize something else.
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