An incredible fundraising duo made up of a former banker and career fashion professional, who are lifelong friends, and have a passion for national cancer care charity Maggie’s, have teamed up once again to raise funds for the charity.
Their latest venture will be a pre-loved designer pop-up boutique operating from 93 George St, Edinburgh from 14-17 May.
In 2012, Lisa Stephenson was diagnosed with the incurable blood cancer multiple myeloma. Her life was to change forever and at the time she was also given a very short life expectancy. Despite gruelling treatments, it was only with the help of a clinical trial, that Lisa defied all odds, and along with her medical team, she credits the Maggie’s centre in Edinburgh with saving her life.
Sarah Murray was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014. Sarah had already spent time looking after her mum, Jane, who had had breast cancer, and with a thriving fashion business, Jane Davidson, and also a young family – she too turned to Maggie’s to help her navigate a new normal.
Together these best friends would become a force to be reckoned with and set about creating some incredible fundraisers for Maggie’s Edinburgh. Events included fashion shows, lunches in Scottish castles and dinners where guests were entertained by high profile stars including the fashion designer, Roland Mouret, and music icon, Marc Almond.
They have raised over £2m for the Edinburgh Maggie’s centre and this has amongst other things, allowed the original premises to be extended to meet the ever-increasing demand for cancer support.
Now, the duo are creating another unique event for their beloved Maggie’s. Building on the need for greater sustainability in fashion, and their passion and knowledge of designer clothes, they will open the first ever Maggie’s Boutique – a pop-up shop selling ‘lightly worn and new with tags’, designer clothing on no other than Edinburgh’s George Street.
Back in January, Lisa and Sarah set about collecting gently worn designer fashion pieces from their friends. Word quickly spread and they have been inundated with over 1,500 items of clothings, shoes, scarves and handbags. Designers include Chanel, Missoni, Prada, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Diane Von Furstenberg, Dries Van Noten, Etro, Hermes, Rixo, Veronica Beard and many, many more.
Lisa Stephenson said: “Sarah and I are delighted to be offering this unique designer pop up boutique in the heart of Edinburgh. We promise the pop-up will be an absolute treasure trove of gently worn and new items where people will be able to buy beautiful designer pieces at heavily discounted prices. We are hoping people will visit us from far and wide to find items they genuinely love, and of course, give generously to Maggie’s. Every single penny we raise will go directly to Maggie’s.”
“We will also be running an online auction of four very special Chanel pieces.”
The Maggie’s Boutique Edinburgh (insta @maggie’sboutiqueedinburgh) will open from 14th-17th May and tickets are available on eventbrite.
Lisa and Sarah have been hugely supported by friends who have helped steam, price and prepare the stock and will also help staff the boutique.
