Wild Wardrobe blooms to success Wardrobe
Not For Profit
Johanna Birsanu and Caroline Van den Berg established Wild Wardrobe in 2021; it’s the only non-profit organisation in the country that supports Irish wildlife.
All proceeds of the stores go towards Kildare Wildlife Rescue, Wildlife Rehabilitation Ireland and Dooletter Wildlife Rescue, who take animals that come into the care of Johanna and Caroline.
But their reach goes much further than just wildlife, not to mention the positive environmental impact of selling pre-loved clothing and goods at affordable prices.
“We never see anyone in need [go without] and so we provide clothing, free of charge, to the homeless, refugees and victims of domestic abuse,” explained Caroline.
“Wild Wardrobe has become an established pillar in the community in Co Cavan. We started off online during Covid-19 and, in just two years, we have two shops. We support wild life and sustainable fashion by selling pre-loved clothing,” she revealed at the Pitch Night for the Business Awards.
Their store located at St Clare’s Court in Cavan Town celebrated its first anniversary in March of this year; while their second outlet is situated at the Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre.
It’s difficult to miss their latest outlet as it features a mural depicting wild animals - a large deer, a fox, an owl, a swan, a heron, hedgehog and badger - nestled in a moss-covered woodland. It was painted by artist Vanessa Etherton.
The stores provide good quality, pre-loved clothing and footwear, toys and accessories. The larger store also offers a homeware section that includes bed linen, curtains, home décor, a larger menswear section and occasion wear.
Wild Wardrobe prides itself on the presentation of the items, which are all nicely displayed and sorted in size for ease of access.
Johanna and Caroline both respond to emergency wildlife call-outs such as tending to baby birds that fall from their nest, road accidents, foxes caught in fences or hedgehogs stuck in drains.
They typically receive around 10-20 calls per week.
The ladies highlighted how hedgehogs, for example, are in rapid decline and the shop supports numerous charities - the closest of which is based in Enniskillen - to protect these animals.
CONTACT US
Email: wwnonprofit@gmail.com or find Wild Wardrobe on Facebook