Fashion with a cause: Rung opens this April
Resale clothing shops are nothing new. We’ve all at one time or another donated our fashion missteps. You know, the ones that mock you everyday as you enter your closet. What made you think you could wear skinny jeans anyway? Did you really think periwinkle was the new black?
Those jackets and tops that no longer hold a high priority in your style portfolio or assortment of sassy accessories and handbags are neatly compiled and carted off to a worthy organization in the hopes that those well-meaning garments can be repurposed for the greater good. Call it fashion karma or style feng shui, it sure feels good to give to others.
As good as it makes us feel to give, has anyone found a way to make those who shop at these resale stores feel pampered and luxe as they find a new outfit? I’m so glad you asked…
Enter Rung, a new resale shop opening on April 17th at 9739 Manchester Road. Rung, whose motto is “Outfitting your corporate climb,” is a not-for-profit clothing resale shop. It aims to bolster the confidence of women between the ages of 25 and 55 by offering professional attire at affordable prices in a boutique atmosphere that provides a fun and uplifting experience. It is also a dynamic gathering place that celebrates the talent of women by displaying art produced by local female talent. And this do-gooder retailer is doing good by donating profits to the Women’s Foundation of Greater St. Louis.
Rung is the brain child of Ali Kindle. You may not know her name but you surely would recognize her grandfather, Enterprise Holdings founder Jack Taylor. Ali is applying the same spirit of entrepreneurship Jack exemplified to empower women to succeed by providing affordable professional attire in a fun, upscale and uplifting environment.
According to Ali, “My objective in opening this store is to bring the women of St. Louis together and help each other through donating clothes and shopping and purchasing clothes. There is something for all women, and it is an easy way to show support and help give women the confidence they need to succeed in the workplace.”
A few years ago, the idea began casually brewing over dinners and informal gatherings with her sister and female cousins. It soon transformed into clothes-swapping parties for friends and other female family members. Soon thereafter, Ali was encouraged, and then empowered, by her family to take the idea into the public sphere. Her sister and female cousins are part of the board of directors now. Many of the “seed” donations were provided by family and friends.
As Rung’s marketing materials tout, “Looking good and doing good are not mutually exclusive.” I’d like to add “Shopping resale doesn’t have to be really boring.” The interior look and feel for Rung will be high-end without the designer prices. Nicely appointed furniture, cute dressing rooms and clothing that has been merchandised just like any other Ann Taylor or Banana Republic near you.
Rung has a defined list of objectives it wants you to take away from the shopping experience:
- To make shopping a celebration of success as well as style.
- To ensure that a woman’s wardrobe works as hard for the community as it does for her career.
- To do good while looking good.
- To support the working women of St. Louis at every step of their corporate climb.
For Ali, Rung is about confidence and spirit. “I think having a place to buy clothing that you may otherwise not be able to afford can give women that extra push to be confident and feel deserving of the job they want, not just the job they have,” she says.
If Rung sounds like an endeavor you would like to support, there are ways to get involved. You can donate clothing so that others may have the same access to style and fashion. The store accepts donations daily. They are currently in need of fashionable tops, dresses and accessories.
If you have the retail bug, Rung is now hiring for part-time sales associates. Put your style sense to good use by assisting women who could use your savvy. For the complete job description and instructions on how to apply, please go to http://www.thejobspider.com/ job/view-job- 2970440.html.
For more information on the April 17th opening and how you can support Rung, visit their website at www.ShopRung.org.
Pamela is a Business and Networking contributor for Girls Guide. She is the owner of The Raymond Experience, an events and public relations company, and she moonlights as the Business Commentary eXaminer for St. Louis. You can email her at raymondcreative [at] yahoo [dot]com, and follow her on Twitter.
