You can now make a referral to Smart Works using an online form

Making a referral is simple and hassle-free. With our new online form, referring to Smart Works is now quicker than ever, taking only a few minutes to complete.

Within one working day, Smart Works will reach out to the woman you have referred, ensuring that she receives the necessary support at a crucial time.

Make a referral
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Location: Scotland
Date: November 10, 2023
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Fashion As A Force For Good With Beira. image

Fashion As A Force For Good.

We have partnered with Beira on a special collaboration that is close to our hearts. Both us and Beira believe in empowering women to be the best they can be. Beira – with their roots in ethical fashion – and us – with their support through clothing and coaching for women on their employment journey. We’ve found a common ground to make a meaningful difference. Through our collaboration, we aim to support women on their journey towards employment, blending style with a cause and fostering a positive impact in our community.

 

Make a Fashion Statement With Beira

Beira is a unique fashion brand based in Scotland that turns unused luxury fabrics into limited edition womenswear. This practice reduces the textile waste that the fashion industry usually creates. Founders Flavio Forlani and Dr Antoinette Fionda-Douglas are deeply concerned about the environment and the unjust social practices in the fashion industry. That’s why they founded Beira as a brand that stands for change, being kind to the planet and fair to the people who make and wear their clothes.

Beira follows a principle called circular sourcing, where we buy unused luxury materials and turn them into new garments. They also use solar panels at our facilities in Italy and have a special shipping method that reduces their carbon footprint by 90%. Unlike many brands, Beira is completely transparent about our practices. They share examples of production costs, so customers know exactly what they’re paying for.

Their ‘honest luxury’ approach means they design durable and stylish clothes and sell them directly to customers, which controls costs. This way, people get high-quality clothing at a much lower price whilst supporting a brand that cares for the environment and its workers. They’re demonstrating a new way of doing things in the fashion world, where luxury, fairness and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.

 

The Smart Works Scotland and Beira Collaboration: Crafting Change Together

At the heart of our collaboration is the ‘Maggie Jacket’, named on behalf of Maggie Darling, the Chair of Smart Works Scotland and the founding Trustee of Smart Works Charity. Maggie has been a force of change, helping women gain confidence and employment, and we couldn’t think of a better name for a jacket that conveys such a strong message. Each Maggie Jacket is a piece of this shared mission, blending our love for sustainable fashion with the empowering efforts of Smart Works Scotland.

“Smart Works Scotland has a major impact and makes a real difference to women’s lives. That’s what we’re trying to do with our brand and why we feel this is such a great collaboration. Maggie is incredible, not just for starting this charity, but the fact that she supports so many local female businesses. Maggie and the entire Smart Works Scotland team are truly inspiring and we’re really excited to have created our Maggie Jacket for them.” Antoinette Fionda-Douglas, Co-Founder of Beira.

“Beira has been supporting and encouraging us along our journey at Smart Works Scotland to help more and more women back into work.  We share values and belief in the power of fashion as a force for good. So we are delighted and thrilled by Antoinette’s generous and gorgeous creation, the Maggie Jacket.  The funds raised through its sale will help change lives.  Empowering our clients, helping them gain confidence, find a job and begin to be the best they can be. Thank you Beira.  You are an inspiration and we are proud to work with you.” Maggie Darling, Chair of Smart Works Scotland.

“Lovely to be working with and helping launch the Maggie Jacket from sustainable brand Beira and Smart Works Scotland who many of you know I champion. I love this beautiful vintage style blazer in this stunning navy velvet… looking forward to showing you how I will style it.” Caroline Cook, Fashion and Lifestyle Blogger.

 

The Maggie Jacket mirrors the Jeanne Jacket, with a distinct character derived from the Elena Jacket. The longer fit and enhanced cut along the hips meld seamlessly with the delightful bracelet-style sleeves. Three-button detailing and a versatile collar add a finishing touch to this masterpiece, making it a perfect companion for either a casual ensemble or your most beloved dress. This limited edition navy velvet jacket, priced at £320, is a piece of honest luxury, with only 41 jackets available.

Beira is thrilled to donate £30 from each of The Maggie Jackets directly to Smart Works Scotland. This way, we’re not just creating a stylish jacket; we’re giving back and supporting a better future for women. You can find The Maggie Jacket here.

 

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Location: Scotland
Date: November 8, 2022
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Sustainable Fashion Brand, This is Unfolded Support Smart Works Scotland image

Scotland-based sustainable fashion brand This is Unfolded is proud to support the opening of Smart Works Scotland’s Glasgow centre.

This is Unfolded is changing the way the fashion industry works, designing affordable, sustainable clothes in collaboration with their community of shoppers. They produce the high-quality, versatile and easy-to-wear clothes after orders are made, cutting the waste associated with normal fashion production. This is Unfolded is rated 4.9 on TrustPilot, and have an engaged community of happy shoppers.

Every purchase supports a child in education in India, where their clothes are made. Smart Works Scotland has received a selection of sustainable dresses, eco-friendly tops and stylish, ethically made culottes from their past collections, and they are about to launch a much-anticipated kidswear collection – sign up to be the first to know on thisisunfolded.com.

Hilde Fryrdnes, Co-Founder and CCO at Unfolded ‘We’re delighted to support Smartworks in Scotland with some of our Sustainable Clothing. The work they do to help women is really inspiring. The confidence that new clothes provides in seeking employment shouldn’t be underestimated.’

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Location: Scotland
Date: April 14, 2022
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We Are Yotel Edinburgh’s Chosen Charity for IWD 2022 image

Every day is Women’s Day at Smart Works Edinburgh!

We’re thrilled to be awarded as Yotel Edinburgh’s chosen charity for International Women’s Day 2022.

We would like to thank Yotel Edinburgh for gifting us 6 months of free working space which we plan to use for a number of uses, from referrer meetings, fundraising events and staff training days.

Our centre manager, Beth, said “We have big plans for the year ahead, so this donated space will be a true asset in giving us the opportunity to think creatively as a team and continue to reach as many women possible across Scotland who would like our support.”

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Location: Scotland
Date: April 7, 2022
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Confidence is The Driving Force of Our Service, with Arnold Clark image

Our Outreach & Communications Officer, Abbie, spoke with the Arnold Clark team when they dropped off a generous contribution of tailored suits for our wardrobe, click the following link to see how donations like Arnold Clark’s fuel Smart Works Edinburgh’s services https://vimeo.com/691911661

These classic suits have been staple pieces for our clients and we can’t wait to see our clients in them.

A massive thank you for all of us at Smart Works Edinburgh to the Arnold Clark team for their support!

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Location: Scotland
Date: May 19, 2021
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Our Friends at Treen image

Fashion is at the heart of what we do.

Recently, we were lucky enough to receive clothing donations from one of our beloved retail partners, Treen. Treen have been been involved with Smart Works Edinburgh since 2019. We feel incredibly lucky to provide their beautiful and sustainable clothing pieces to our clients.

We asked Cat, the founder of Treen, why she chooses to support Smart Works Edinburgh and here’s what she had to say:

It honestly felt like a natural fit! Everything you do at Smart Works to empower women partly through what they wear is aligned with our own values as treen. We know that how you feel makes a huge difference to your confidence.”

As we at Smart Works Edinburgh, focus on creating the perfect workwear outfit for women across Scotland ahead of their interviews, we asked Cat what her go-to interview outfit. She highlighted:

“(Something) simple, classic and always comfortable. I’d go for things to feel my best in, like one of our organic cotton Edgar Shirts in a crisp white, the elasticated waist yet still smart black Alex Pants and add a Grace Bag in Olive along with Remy Earrings in a high shine gold – all making a great first impression without compromising on style.”

Without retail partners like Treen, we won’t not be able to provide the beautiful, high-quality interview clothing we do on a daily basis to women across Scotland.

If you would like to visit Treen, their shop is at 2-4 St Stephen Pl, Stockbridge, Edinburgh EH3 5AJ. Additionally, to find out more information, check out their website here: https://shoptreen.com

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Location: Scotland
Date: December 16, 2020
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Recap: Winter Makeup Masterclass with Bobbi Brown Pro-Artist, Aimée Morrison image

 

On the 7th December, Smart Works Edinburgh hosted our very own winter makeup master class in partnership with Bobbi Brown and Bobbi Brown pro-artist Aimée Morrison. The event was a huge success, and with over 40 attendees purchasing tickets, the Smart Works Edinburgh community helped raise north of £200 for charity. The proceeds of the event will go towards the cost of sending clothing parcels to women across Scotland, helping them through their journey into employment.

Here at Smart Works, we are firm believers in the power and influence of an outfit, and know first-hand how much of a difference an outfit can make for a woman’s confidence. The same can be said for makeup. We believe that styling and makeup emphasise confidence, and are far from frivolous pursuits. Our lovely trustee, Fiona Richmond, summarised: “feeling your best is truly transformational, and that is ultimately our goal here at Smart Works.”

Adding a much-needed dose of glamour to our Monday night, the event was informative and fun. Bobbi Brown pro-artist Aimée Morrison discussed everything from Bobbi Brown’s winter skincare favourites, like their gorgeous vitamin enriched face cream, eye creams, or illuminating balm, to sharing her top tips on how to freshen up your Zoom-ready makeup and save it from the triple threat of central heating, blistery cold weather, and face masks.

Moving on to makeup, Aimée main takeaway was that the power of makeup is rooted in “embracing your natural face and your natural features.” Emphasizing the desire to achieve a gorgeous natural glow, Aimée showed the group how to apply mask-proof makeup for the perfect winter makeup look. Some of her favourite Bobbi Brown products include the Instant Full Cover Concealer, Skin Foundation Stick, and the Precise Buffing Brush. What’s more, Aimée also shared some of her top tips on how to contour naturally, and how to apply concealer and foundation without looking “cakey”.

Transitioning to a more festive look, Aimée then demonstrated how to use Bobbi Brown’s new Burgundy and Bronze Luxe Encore Eyeshadow Palettes to achieve the perfect Christmas holiday look. She was also kind enough to show us two looks; using each palette on a separate eye to create both a halo smokey eye with the bronze palette, and a warm berry eye look with the Burgundy palette. By using a setting spray spritz on her brush prior to dipping it into her highlighter powder, Aimée explained how to focus your glow onto your cheeks for a more sculpted accent. To finish, she topped the look off with a sheer, nude lip balm. When asked what her best tip for makeup is, she replied, “the key is really just stripping it back to use fewer products for more functions – more often than not, less really is more.”

To find out more about the lovely Bobbi Brown pro-artist Aimée Morrison, visit here or go along to her Instagram @bbpro_aimeemorrison to see more of her gorgeous work.

As ever, Smart Works Edinburgh was thrilled to partner with Bobbi Brown to host the gorgeous evening, and will no doubt be putting our new festive tips and tricks to use (even if it is just to sit at home on the couch!). Smart Works has been partnered with Bobbi Brown since the launch of their makeup set ‘Pretty Powerful’ in 2013. Click here to shop this year’s Pretty Powerful set ‘Elizabeth Scarlett X Bobbi Brown’, the proceeds of which go to Smart Works charity.

 

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Location: Scotland
Date: November 24, 2020
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Meet Aimée Morrison PRO Artist at Bobbi Brown image

‘I believe there are no rules when it comes to makeup, if it makes you feel good then go with it. I love to make women feel confident with effortless, pretty makeup.’

Aimée Morrison joined Bobbi Brown Artists and the brand when she was 19, working weekends at her local Bobbi Brown counter in Glasgow, Scotland. Since then she has progressed to a UK PRO Artist, inspiring, educating and supporting Bobbi Brown Artists and the brand throughout the UK and Ireland.

Aimée has represented the brand at multiple high-profile events including London Fashion Week AW19, alongside Sam and Nic Chapman and Thom Walker from Markus Lupfer, and Paris Fashion week for Reem Acra and Johanna Ortiz. Aimée has also featured on QVC, presenting alongside Global Pro Artist, Amy Conway and has supported backstage with makeup for Jenny Packam’s Bridal Fashion Show and Look Book.

Aimée’s artistry has also been used in editorial photoshoots for Selfridges as well as Brides Magazine. Some of Aimée‘s previous VIP clients include Louise Redknapp, Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Elizabeth Hurley.

Can’t Live Without products?

Instant Full Cover Concealer, Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation SPF15, Long-wear Cream Shadow Sticks, Smokey Eye Mascara and Perfectly Defined Long-Wear Brow Pencil.

Top beauty tip?

When it comes to applying mascara, perfect your lashes by using eyelash curlers first for maximum length. You want to wiggle your mascara wand horizontally through your lashes to create lash definition and separation. I also love to double up mascaras for example; I’ll wear my favourite everyday ‘Smokey Eye Mascara’ but when I need more drama for evening, I will apply a coat of Eye Opening Mascara to create a false lash effect.

Who inspires you the most?

My mum has always been a big inspiration for me when it comes to beauty. Growing up I would love to watch her go into her makeup bag and make herself look even more beautiful; she’s quite a glam mum and often gets mistaken for my sister (which she loves!), now she watches and copies me do my makeup! As a VIP customer, my mum actually helped me to get the job for Bobbi Brown in Frasers Glasgow when I was 19 and the rest is history.

What do you consider your most important tool?

It’s got to be a Smile! There’s nothing more welcoming than to approach someone with a happy face.

@bbpro_aimeemorrison

Join us for a Winter Makeup Masterclass with Bobbi Brown PRO Artist, Aimée Morrison

Monday 7th December 2020

18.30hrs – 20.00hrs, via Zoom

Tickets cost just £5, buy your tickets here!

Back to News
Location: Scotland
Date: November 24, 2020
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Winter Makeup Masterclass with Bobbi Brown PRO Artist, Aimée Morrison image

Monday 7th December 2020

18.30hrs – 20.00hrs, via Zoom

Smart Works Edinburgh invites you to an exclusive winter makeup masterclass with our beauty partner, Bobbi Brown

We could all use a little glamour this Christmas, and Smart Works Edinburgh is here to add a dose of fabulousness to the festive season. Join us and Bobbi Brown PRO Artist, Aimée Morrison, as she talks you through her top tips for perfecting your go-to winter makeup look. Aimée will share her skincare secrets, reveal how to create a flawless, Zoom-ready base, and talk us through Bobbi Brown’s key trends. She’ll also be on-hand to answer any of your burning beauty questions.

What’s more, you’ll have the chance to see the gorgeous Christmas collection first-hand and all attendees will receive an exclusive 20% discount which they can use from December 7th – 9th at Bobbibrown.co.uk. So put on your party dress, pour yourself a glass of your favourite tipple, and get ready for a night of fabulous fun!

Smart Works Edinburgh provides interview clothing, styling advice, and interview training to unemployed and vulnerable women. We help women feel more confident and give them the tools they need to succeed in their job interview—something that’s more important now than ever before. All proceeds from our Bobbi Brown event will go straight back to the charity, which will allow us to support even more women during an exceptionally challenging time.

Tickets cost £5 per person (including booking fee) and are available to buy here.

We can’t wait to see you on the 7th of December!

 

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Location: Scotland
Date: October 13, 2020
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Smart Works Edinburgh X Le Tee Paris image

We are thrilled to announce an upcoming collaboration with Le Tee Paris, a Parisian-inspired independent boutique founded by Edinburgh-based designer, Sarah Clyde.

Starting Friday 16th October for two weeks, there will be a 25% off discount site-wide for Smart Works Edinburgh supporters. Throughout this partnership, for every item purchased anywhere on the site, Le Tee will donate an item from the Smart Works Edit to our Edinburgh dressing room.

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Location: Scotland
Date: April 1, 2020
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Smart Works Edinburgh x treen image

For every purchase you make on the treen website through April, they will donate 5% back to Smart Works Edinburgh.

treen champion living sustainably while also making women feel amazing in their clothes. We love what they do and hope you will too.

You can have a look at their collections here – we especially love their beautiful knitwear for staying cosy at home, and the gorgeous jewellery is the perfect pick-me-up.