The Love Stories that set Vintage with Love apart

As Valentine's Day approaches, it seems love is in the air and what better time to put the spotlight on what truly sets us apart; the WITH LOVE in Vintage with Love. While Valentine’s Day comes and goes each year, for us here at Vintage, love isn't just a sentiment reserved for one day of the year; it's woven into the fabric of everything we do.

 

From our humble beginnings, our mission has always been fuelled by love. Our journey began in 2013 with a simple idea: to breathe new life into pre-loved clothing while making a meaningful impact on literacy and education in South Africa. To this day, everything we do is done with love in our hearts. So let’s reflect on our favourite ‘love stories’ that set Vintage with Love apart. 

 

The heartbeat of our charity: Our incredible volunteers

One of our favourite love stories is the love that our volunteers have for their work and for each other. Vintage with Love thrives on the passion and dedication of our remarkable team of volunteers. Comprising of a diverse group of individuals brought together by their shared love for community and making a difference, our volunteers invest their time and energy tirelessly. They arrive every Tuesday happy and ready to spread their love and have become the closest of friends through this shared experience. When asked what they love most about Vintage with Love, all our volunteers had a similar sentiment; they said they love coming in on a Tuesday to work with and chat to all the other incredible ladies who they now see as friends. 

 

Not only do they have love for each other but these incredible women sort through donations with love, price items with love, mend and clean garments with love, and curate beautiful collections that transcend into something so much more than a second hand shop. But it's not the tasks they perform that makes us love our volunteers; it's the love they bring into every interaction. Their generosity knows no bounds, and their commitment to our cause is inspiring. 

A love letter to Fashion and Sustainability 

Vintage with love is also a love letter to fashion and sustainability. We believe in the beauty of second chances, and the opportunity to give once-loved items a new lease on life. It’s about more than just finding these garments new homes; it’s about continuing their story. With every purchase, our customers become a part of this love story, embracing a more conscious approach to fashion and joining in the endless love story that threads all our garments together.  

 

I have often spotted my own once-loved items hanging on the rails, witnessed them being tried on or being purchased with excitement. It fills me with so much joy to know that these pieces, once treasured by me, are now destined to bring love to someone else. It really is a beautiful cycle of love and appreciation. 

 

Love beyond borders: Impacting lives across South Africa

Our most important love story is the one that shines through our goal to spread love to those who need it most; the children of South Africa. Everything we do is with the goal of supporting incredible charities who work to empower these children with the tools they need to build brighter futures. How do they do this? They do it with love! 

 

Our charities love and kindness has no limits. Their dedication to improving the state of literacy in our country is nothing short of inspiring. Having visited some of our charities in the past year, I can testify that each and every person is acting with an enormous amount of love in their hearts. From funding scholarships and internships to donating reading books, school shoes and resources to aid in literacy development, our love for our charities is at the heart of everything we do. 

 

Finally it’s the kindness, compassion and love of every single person we come across that keeps us going. It's the kindness of strangers who donate their pre-loved clothing, the compassion of volunteers who dedicate their time, and the generosity of customers who support our cause. We really couldn’t do any of this without each and every one of you. 

 

But above all, it's the love we share—for each other, for our planet, and for the children whose lives we touch—that defines us. This Valentine's Day, as we celebrate love in all its forms, let us remember that love, indeed, makes the world go round. And at Vintage with Love, it's the driving force behind everything we do. 

 

Join us in spreading love, one gently-worn item at a time. 

With love, Angie