Walk Tall: Bid Boutique

Hey kitty cats, how are y’all doing this week? Need a little fashion fix? Well, today’s blog post is about fashion with a cause. This blog post is all about a launch event that Save the Children invited me to last week and the work they’re currently doing with kids around the world – and this time, it incorporates fashion,namely, shoes. Heck, what better excuse than to indulge in a little online shoe shopping? (Not that it even needs an excuse, hey kittens?)

Save the Children have launched their Born to Walk Tall Bid Boutique auction to raise funds for kids in the toughest parts of the world, giving them hope that they can survive to take their first steps. So, of course, where steps are involved, shoes are the most appropriate form of fundraising. And it’s needed – almost 7 million children die before their fifth birthday every year, mostly from easily preventable illnesses that we take for granted. Well, that’s what happens when there’s a global shortfall of of 3.5 million doctors, nurses and midwife and that’s what Save the Children are trying to kick back at. (Are you bored of my shoe-related puns yet?)

So, where do the shoes actually come into this? Well, Save the Children aim to train thousands of health workers to bring life-saving medical care to families in the world’s poorest countries. In an effort to do this fashionably, they’ve opened up an online eBay auction named Bid Boutique. With the eBay money made, they’re hoping to hire health works, with just one health worker treating up to 5,000 children a year. Phew! That’s good value for money if I ever heard it, and in an attempt to raise as much money as possible, they’ve invited some of the world’s most stylish women (not me, unfortunately) to take inspiration from their childhood dreams and memories to design a pair of shoes they’d love to walk tall in.

With some of my own style icons taking part, I just had to share my favourite designs with y’all. Each of these designs will auctioned off through Save the Children’s Bid Boutique on eBay, where the six bid winners will also be able to own a pair of beautiful shoes, lovingly hand-crafted in their size by luxury made-to-order shoe label Upper Street. Stars including actresses Tamsin Egerton, Hayley Atwell and Helena Bonham Carter, pop star and style blogger Mollie King, super model Erin O’Connor and choreographer and multi-platinum selling artist, Kimberly Wyatt designed their own pair. Save the Children asked them to take inspiration from their childhood dreams and memories, in order to go coincide with the Bid Boutique theme.

My favourite actress taking part has to be Helena Bonham Carter. Since as long as I can remember, she’s been a huge style icon for me – always different, gothic inspired and a gal after my own heart. So, I was surprised to see her design looking so, well, colourful! Of her design, Helena told me, “I remember watching The Wizard of Oz as a little girl. Since then, I’ve always wanted a pair of shoes that, like Dorothy, would get me home quick if I clicked three times – perfect for when you’ve suddenly had enough at a party or you’ve been filming all day and want a quick getaway.” Love it!

Aside from my favourite starlet taking part, my favourite shoe design has to be by supermodel Erin O’Connor. This British gal has a lot of respect from me, having fronted campaigns for major fashion houses including Chanel, Givenchy, Donna Karan, Valentino, Armani, Versace and Dolce & Gabbana. She has been Vice Chairman of London Fashion Week and recently launched a fair trade clothing brand. She said, “I was keen to design a stylish flat, because I want to prove that style and functionality can co-exist in harmony!” Well, these shoes certainly show kudos to her designer skills, as these are definitely the type of ballet flats I’d love to own. 

So, if you glamour puss’s would like to take part in this fashionably fabulous scheme to raise money, follow the #WalkTall on Twitter to get the latest updates or even log onto Save the Children’s ebay store. The Bid Boutique is running now until the 5th October, so if you fancy placing a bid, you’ve still got plenty of time!

Which are your favourite designs? Leave me a comment below and let me know! And don’t forget to follow me on Twitter, like my Facebook page and subscribe to my Youtube channel to keep up to date with all things fashion!