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ANYONE who thought it would be impossible to pick up an Armani suit or an Amanda Wakeley dress for under BD50 obviously has not been to the Second Chance Designer Sale.
The six-hour event held at the Dilmun Club in Saar on Thursday featured branded casual wear, suits, gowns, shoes, handbags and even a selection of cuddly posh toys.
Men, women and children had their pick of leading labels including Karen Millen, Ann Taylor, BCBG, Zara, Amanda Wakeley, Milly, Jaeger, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Laure, Monsoon and more.
The sale was organised by a group of volunteers of the Second Chance thrift shops and Second Chance Animal Rescue Centre near Karranah run by pet groomer Tony ‘The Dogfather’ Waters, and they also modelled some of the donated dresses.
Dance instructor Elena Mencakova, 31, from Amwaj, said: “The sale was fantastic. I picked up two designer bags and a number of pieces to make seven different outfits. I love BCBG and managed to find some great stuff from there.
“Most of the items on sale were under BD5, which was great. Finding a bargain makes shopping even more fun!”
Business consultant Seneth Fonseka, 34, from Zinj, was pleased with the deals he made on the day. He said: “I picked up a Harley Davidson golf bag for BD35, a leather jacket and trousers for BD25, a Diesel shirt for BD3, Chaps shirts for BD2 and slacks from Next for BD3.
“When it comes to shopping this is the way to go … and it was all for a good cause too.”
A classic two-piece Amanda Wakeley dress, priced BD45, was plucked from the display by the reporter who has written this article. She had promised her fiancé that all her fils were being saved for their wedding so reluctantly handed it over to an excited housewife who liked the look of the garment.
Linda de Man, volunteer and pet nurse, said: “All the designer wear was donated by lovely people in Bahrain and there were many shrewd shoppers with a keen eye for a bargain. I don’t think anyone left disappointed.”
The volunteers were happy too as their efforts raised more than BD1,200 to help rescue, rehabilitate and find new homes for abandoned animals.
The Dogfather’s efforts are supported by two charity shops, one on Budaiya Highway above Tibra’s pet supply store and the other located on Janusan Avenue, behind Al Jazira Supermarket.
Tony has a ‘no kill’ policy and rescues abandoned, stray, abused, injured animals and evaluates, rehabilitates and then tries to re-home them unless the animals are elderly, injured or have special needs. Animals that fit into the latter category stay with him for the rest of their lives in air-conditioned kennels.
*The Second Chance supporters will be holding a book sale on October 11 at the Bahrain Rugby Club car park from 4pm to 6pm.
