Photo courtesy of Jonathan+Olivia.

The This is West Queen West S.O.S. clothing drive is probably the best thing to happen to your once-beloved last season designer clothing that’s gently stowed away in your closet for, uh, safekeeping. From Monday April 22 to April 28, Jonathan+Olivia boutique is asking shoppers to bring in their gently used designer duds to benefit CAMH’s Suits Me Fine program, which provides clothing for patients to wear on job interviews. In return for donating your much-loved pieces, Jonathan+Olivia is offering 10 per cent shopping discounts to be used during the week of the drive.

We chatted with Jackie O’Brien, owner of Jonathan+Olivia, about the importance of hosting next week’s drive, and in leading by fashionable example, the fabulous piece she’s donating to the cause.
How did the idea of a shopping event in support of CAMH come about? "The CAMH foundation initially approached us to donate clothing to the Suits Me Fine Boutique program, due to the brands and collections available at Jonathan+Olivia, and also because we were one of the pioneering stores in the neighbourhood. We sat down, threw some ideas around and came up with the idea of a clothing drive with a distinct type of clothing in mind. The idea then developed into inviting other West Queen West pioneers like Ruth (Fresh), Frank + Jeremy Laing and Richard (Parts and Labour) to host the event with us. With all of our friends and supporters combined, we could really make a difference."
What’s considered appropriate attire to donate—for both ladies and gents? "What we don’t want is jersey. We want attire that’s perhaps a little out of fashion or you just don’t wear it any more. We need clothing that will help the patients of CAMH, a great example is clothing for a job interview or a wedding."
Read on to find out which fab piece Jackie will be donating!
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