You don’t have to be rich to look nice. That’s the message Brittany van Beek wants to convey with her initiative Everyone deserves Fashion. The assistant course coordinator is collecting money for charity and currently participating in the beauty pageant of Gelderland.

Buying some new pants at Zara or H&M is not a possibility for some. Brittany van Beek (23) grew up in a family where clothing was recycled. ‘Now and then we received a bag filled with second-hand clothing via family. I was then allowed to pick some stuff out.’

Her own background is the driving force behind the initiative Everyone deserves Fashion, a website for used clothing. Plus, the belief that constantly producing new dresses, sweaters and jackets is not good for our climate. ‘It’s simply not necessary.’

Green image

Until last summer, Brittany studied Cognitive Neuroscience in Nijmegen. She chose Radboud University in particular because of the attention to sustainability there is on campus. She is now a assistant course coordinator at the same university. She still embraces the green persona Nijmegen has. ‘For example, in the Montessori building where I work, we have a healthy wall with healthy food. There are enough vegan products to choose from and I think that’s great.’

Brittany van Beek is participating in the model contest Miss Beauty of Gelderland. The winner proceeds to Miss Beauty of The Netherlands and has a chance to participate internationally. One requirement for the competition is contributing to charity.

‘Constantly producing new clothing is simply unnecessary’

‘That’s how I got the idea of collecting used clothing. I put together fashionable sets, that’s what I love. The money I make goes to the Linda Foundation. Via gift vouchers the money goes to families in need, so they can buy something new now and then or make a day trip.’

Brittany’s initiative is viewable on the website of the Linda Foundation. There she writes how the company her father worked at went bankrupt and how her parents struggled to make ends meet. “A very hard time,” she writes.

Brownies & Downies

Those same parents now help Brittany by showcasing the clothing she receives on the website. Her father and mother from Zevenaar wear trendy second-hand shirts and jackets. Employees of Brownies & Downies, the café where Brittany worked for a long time, are also in a video showing what’s available. Meanwhile, the money is rolling in because Brittany has already raised over 500 euros.

If she receives any sort of fame for her participation in the beauty pageant, she wants to use it to help families in need and for a better climate. The finale of Gelderland takes place at the end of February.

Everyone deserves Fashion is on Facebook and on the website of the Linda Foundation. Students and employees that want to donate clothing or buy something, can go there.