Vintage with Love: Where it all began!

As we enter our 11th year of Vintage with Love, we decided to look back at where it all began and celebrate how far we’ve come. So let’s step back in time to the bustling streets of Johannesburg where one of our founders, Leigh, sat clearing out her beautifully stocked cupboard. 

Vintage with Love was an idea fuelled by passion, friendship, and a desire to make a difference. It was founded in 2013 by Leigh Ord and Jacquie Myburgh Chemaly, the dynamic duo that turned a simple wardrobe clear-out into a philanthropic phenomenon.

Leigh Ord and Jacquie Myburgh Chemaly, 2013 

Leigh, a teacher with an eye for style and a love of fashion, found herself in a familiar predicament: closets overflowing with beautiful clothing. What started as a personal ritual of sharing her treasures with friends and staff evolved into a bold idea – why not sell these items and donate the proceeds to charity?

Armed with enthusiasm and a vision, Leigh approached her close friend Jacquie, a journalist known for her impeccable taste. Together, they embarked on a journey that would transform their community.

Their first step? A garage sale. With Jacquie and Leigh's dedication and the incredible support of their community, the duo quickly gained momentum, far outgrowing the humble garage and found a stunning location for the whole weekend event. Their hard work culminated in a dazzling sale that exceeded all expectations. Hundreds of excited shoppers adorned with piles of clothing draped over their arms created an incredible energy which Leigh describes as ‘wonderful mayhem.’ From this an incredible R640,000 was raised for charity on that first weekend sale which completely blew them away and quickly made them realise this couldn’t be a once off thing.

And so Vintage with Love was born! 

As word spread, so did our reach. What began as a local initiative soon caught the attention of friends in Cape Town, leading to the first sale in Cape Town and almost R1 million raised for charity.

And so Vintage with Love expanded to Cape Town!

With each passing year, we grew in scope and impact, raising millions for education and literacy based charities in South Africa. From funding internships and scholarships, putting shoes on hundreds of small feet, feeding many hungry mouths and aiding in literacy development around the country, we strive to improve the lives of the children of South Africa.

However, like with any journey, we faced unexpected challenges. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to pause our plans, but it also sparked innovation. Recognising the need to adapt, we pivoted to online platforms, expanding our reach and resilience.

And so Vintage with Love went online! 

With the desire to continue growing and raising funds for literacy and education charities around South Africa, we needed to take one step further. While the online platform allowed Vintage lovers to shop from the comfort and safety of their homes all year round instead of only once a year at the annual sale, we decided to tackle retail and provide a space for shoppers to experience the Vintage with Love magic in person all year round.

And so Vintage with Love went retail!

Next up, in our 10th year, Vintage with Love ventured into a new space entirely, the resale of preloved furniture. Again with an army of support, we threw our hearts into sourcing, mending, painting, re-upholstering and adding a touch of love to beautiful, once loved pieces of furniture. 

And so at the 2023 Big Sale in Johannesburg, Décor for a Difference was launched!

Today, Vintage with Love stands as a testament to the power of community and compassion. From humble beginnings to a nationwide movement, it embodies the spirit of giving back and creating change, one pre-loved item at a time.

While 2024 has only just begun, we have so many exciting updates to look forward to. Driven by our unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of so many South African children, we will continue to write new chapters and find ways to grow. 

With love,

Angie