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STYLE OF GENEROSITY Pay It Fashion-Forward THANKS TO THE FASHION PROJECT, FOUNDED BY TWO HARVARD LAW ALUMS, HAUTE COUTURE IS NOW EARNING MORE FOR PHILANTHROPISTS' FAVORITE CHARITIES. BY KATY B. OLSON D onate an Hermès Birkin bag to Goodwill, and that preeminent piece will earn a mere $5 to $10 for charity; in contrast, eBay and other resalers sell pre-owned Birkin bags for as much as $80,000. Goodwill shops aren't equipped to accurately price luxury donations, so scarcely used couture languishes in the closets of hesitant philanthropists. Christine Rizk and Anna Palmer, founders of Fashion Project, a Boston-based company that resells designer donations to benefit donors' charities of choice, are changing that model—one Escada mohair coat at a time. The process is simple. Philanthropists use a prepaid package to send Fashion Project their high-end clothing, shoes, and accessories. The team evaluates, photographs, and lists items for sale at 50 to 90 percent of the original price on the website FashionProject. com. Fifty-five percent of proceeds go to the donor's charity of choice, and donors receive tax deduction receipts. For shoppers, browsing Fashion Project—which has celebrity partners including Glenn Close and ABOVE: Christine Rizk and Anna Palmer show off the designer finds donated to Fashion Project, including this Tod's Carrie Ann Inaba—is akin to flipping handbag (TOP) in mint condition and Ben Amun gold —ANNA PALMER through a high-end fashion magazine. necklace (RIGHT). Recent offerings include pieces by Z Spoke by Zac Posen and Alice & Trixie, among others. After an initial angel investment in 2012, Fashion Project received venFashion Project grew out of a conversation at Rizk and Palmer's 2011 ture financing from Boston's prestigious Techstars start-up accelerator. Harvard Law School graduation. The friends discovered that they shared Early charity partners included March of Dimes Massachusetts and Big a wealth of nonprofit experience and closets containing rarely used Brother Big Sister foundation; now, donors can recommend charities or designer items with the potential to earn more for charity. "We wanted to choose from a selection listed on FashionProject.com, including Dress for create a platform where you can help cure cancer, provide birthday parties Success Boston and Autism Speaks. After the Boston Marathon tragedy, for homeless children, or contribute to another cause close to your heart," Fashion Project donated 100 percent of proceeds from a dedicated bouexplains Palmer, who is CEO of the nonprofit. By the time the graduation tique to The One Fund. And that Birkin bag? Sold through FashionProject. ceremony was over, says Rizk, the Project's COO, "we had committed to com, it could contribute a whopping $8,000 to $9,000 to a charity of your starting Fashion Project." choice. To donate or shop, visit fashionproject.com. BC 108 PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL BENJAMIN (RIZK AND PALMER) "We wanted to create a platform where you can contribute to a cause close to your heart." BOSTONCOMMON-MAGAZINE.COM 108_BC_SS_StyleogGen_Holiday_13.indd 108 11/1/13 4:10 PM